So, I plan to buy a Zune HD pretty soon, the 32GB version...mainly because I wanna have a MP3 player as I travel a lot and like my music, as well as watching shows on it during my 1hr lunch breaks at work...

Just wanted to know how its been doing since its release last year, as far as apps, games, the community, etc. Is it a good investment and will have lots to offer me? I know I can do my own research but I'd rather have personal thoughts from you owners....thanks!

I own one and love it, but frankly you should be better off with iPod Touch because there are not many official apps/games on Zune HD. I used it mostly for Music and Podcast, but I still think that iPod Touch would be the better investment now.

Anyway, hopefully, I will have Windows Phone 7 with more apps/games to replace it soon.

As far as apps, there are only a handful, maybe 40ish total of games and other apps.  But as far as an MP3 player goes, I love it!  I also go the 32GB version and it's been amazing.  Great sound quality, responsive touch screen, web browser, HD Radio, and the games it has are great!  The real gem of the Zune is the Zune Pass.  The Zune software absolutely annihilates the iTunes stone age interface when it comes to being a media player and marketplace.  With Zune Pass you get unlimited song downloads a month for $15 a month, plus 10 songs you get to keep for life each month.  So if you buy 10 songs a month it is basically $5 for unlimited music for as long as you are subscribed!!!

Ok i'll look into that, the apps section was not a big deal to me but was just interested at how big its grown since its release and it seems not by much....is there a reason why its so limited?

Sounds good! One reason why I wanted the Zune HD over the iTouch was the price, heard the Zune is cheaper but I haven't done research, but yeah want it mainly for music and watching shows and I've heard good things...and judging by what you're saying seems like a solid choice.

I got a bunch of mp4/avi shows on my laptop, would I have to convert them to watch on the Zune or I can put them right in?

Zune HD is a wonderful purcahse. I got a 32 gig model as well and its everything you want in an MP3/Video player with extra features player. Zune software is simply a joy to use after struggling with itunes for many years.

As far as apps, there are enough games to play on the go...some are great (audio surf, PGR) some are not...As far as non games apps, they cover the basics... facebook, Twiter, Weather, MSN Money, calculator and as of 13 days ago Windows live messenger(yay). They are all free... I find that you really don't need any more apps without actually having a data plan and ability to connect to a cell phone network. It browses the web great so you can use google maps and all that stuff when you are in a wifi hot spot...

If this thing had blutooth for me to connect a 3D enabled phone and surf the web with it...it would be the greatest device ever made. Unless you are Apple...who has blutooth in the Itouch but purposely blocks other mobile blutooth devices from connecting to Itouch for the sake of surfing the web on a cellular network. They want you to buy the iphone for that...

I know AVI files should work fine, but not sure about MP4 format.

Reason while there is not a crapload of them is because all the apps for the zune are microsoft made and free. Zune HD is not open to devs to make their own apps. There is a zune hd homebrew scene but its kind of useless.

I really wouldn;t get the zune to play with many apps but because of its superior software and MP3/video capabilities.

Microsoft does not really open the app market to the public. So your all official apps are from Microsoft while you might be able to get some XNA apps from others too.

I think Microsoft is using Zune HD as a stepping stone to the bigger target (aka Windows Phone 7).  But don't get me wrong, as a media player, you won't be regret. If you have XBox 360, you can also connect Zune to it, and play your music or video directly from your 360.

Thanks a lot for your input guys! Think I'll buy the 32GB version next month....just thinking of iTunes puts me off the iTouch, or any apply product that uses it...

At least it plays AVI, i'll do more research, can't wait to get it as long as its got the useful apps (Facebook, etc.) I'm good, maybe they'll add more features this holiday...