7 Things Microsoft Could Do To Make Zune HD A Game Changer

Update - We've been Dugg

We don't know anything specific (confirmed by Microsoft at least) about the Zune HD at this point.  We do, however, offer these 7 points on what Redmond could do to make the Zune HD a game changer.

Provide Complete Interoperability With The xBox. We don't mean games at all here - a few portable games are always nice but Zune's future is not being in competition with the Nintendo DS.  This whole ecosystem needs to come together.  At this point a television show purchased on the Zune can't be viewed on the xBox (and vice versa).  Perhaps, in the beginning, one should even be "rewarded" for making that happen (makes more sense than rewarding them for using your search engine).  The xBox must become the television "dock" for the Zune and the Zune must become the easiest way to view your Zune content on your television.  When a Zune owner with an xBox looks at a Zune television dock as redundant, Microsoft has won this battle.  Don't forget saved game content and easy gamer tag transfer options.

Move Zune From Product To Service. Microsoft's strength has always been in the partners that leverage her software to their products.  Yes, we know the xBox is an exception - but it is the exception.  The Zune "service" on phones, the xBox and the desktop will help her get the market share she deserves.  Microsoft needs to make this happen quickly.

Provide Over The Air VOD Before Apple Does.  The idea that someone must have a computer to download premium video is an idea that needs to die.  Microsoft needs to be the first one to make this happen - and make it their story.  Hollywood simply needs to "get over it" and Microsoft needs to bully them accordingly.

Make TV Connection Not Just Possible - But Part Of The Story.  When your portable entertainment device also becomes PPV player for your HD television - heck the PPV player for ANY television in your house - you might just find the Zune HD replacing a cable box or two.  Instead of being "another" device, make the Zune "the" device.  People are tired of buying something else - give them "something better" to buy and you'll have some big fans.  This goes hand in hand with the over the air VOD requirement above.

Continue To Embrace Podcasting. The media landscape continues to change dramatically and Podcasting is at the front of the charge.  It doesn't cost Microsoft a thing to be the best source of this content doing so only expands the value (perceived and real) of the Zune.

Expand The Zune Pass To Include Some Premium Video Content. If Microsoft attempts to launch a product called Zune HD with a Zune Pass product that only includes audio … nuff said.  Want to really knock it out of the park?  Make the Zune Pass unlock the ability to stream Netflix on demand content.

Embrace The Community In A Way Apple Simply Can't. Apple equals secrets and hidden.  Microsoft equals too stinking big to hide anything (how else did these Zune HD content leak anyway).  Microsoft should embrace this fact and empower their MVPs, partners and developers the means to "tell the story."  If they do this, and spend 5% of their total marketing budget on it, the Zune can reach the numbers Microsoft has hoped it will.

We'd love your thoughts on these ideas.  Please comment below.