gdgt

I'd recommend waiting until there are either new Zune players announced (WP7 version of iPod Touch) or try to find a used player somewhere.

i'd either get a new/used one if the price is right, or wait until the next gens. No need in switching to a different device unless you don't use Zune pass and/or have an Xbox 360.

I've been waiting for a decent Android equivalent of the iPod Touch, but nothing has come close yet (almost any good looking ones end up having a resistive touchscreen - yuck). I would say wait for another Zune iteration and get a nice cheap one in the mean time like the Sansa Clip+ and just use a third-party program like MediaMonkey for handing podcast management, or just get an iPod Touch.

I've been using my Motorola Droid in the meantime because it's got google Listen for my podcasts and Music for my mp3s. Sometimes it will blare music randomly after I unplug my headphones. I just don't think Android is ready for prime time. I would just keep using the droid, but the space is too limited, it's slow (maybe get a droid 2?), and I have to charge it twice a day.

I looked at the Archos android devices, and again not enough storage. Also, I don't really like apps. Not enough of my friends use FourSquare, Yelp, etc. to necessitate me using apps.

windows phone 7 devices are looking pretty sweet right now and basically have the zune interface built in! HTC HD7 is an example of that....720p screen, 16gb internal memory, etc

I would say for not the only viable replacement device for my ZuneHD wud be one of the WP7 devices unless msft brings out a new generation standalone device.

Here's the thing. Let me state first off that I had one of these and I loved it. Absolutely loved it. It is a beautiful device made for MUSIC. Not for apps (though there are 20+ that you can download if you'd like).

The best sounding PMP-player you'll ever lay your hands on and pistol-whips the iPOD to the ground in terms of sound-quality. Does the iTouch have more apps. Yes. Yes it does. But isn't that what your iPhone gives you access to? Or your iPad? Do you really need that for your personal media player too?

Anyway, having said this - I'm kinda bitter about the whole ZuneHD. I swear the U.S. was just a test market for the ZuneHD to push it to their Windows7 phone. Microsoft could have really put a dent in the iPod market if they had actually, you know - ADVERTISED THE DAMNED THING and sold it outside of the United States? Ever see any ads for this device in a magazine? Commercials for TV? Celebrities holding one in their hands? Now, ask yourself the same thing about the equivalent apple product. Yeah - exactly, they shove that damned thing down our throats.

There is also rumblings out from the Tech industry that Microsoft isn't making the ZuneHD anymore - which would be a crying shame:
www.zunethoughts.com­/news­/show­/112729­/the­-zune­-hd­-...

With Android devices out now from Android based on the popular Galaxy S phone that are essentially PMP players without the phone capabilities, it will be hard for MS to ever catch up. In this market, they might even be waiting for a Windows 8 "show me" gadget. Who knows.

To be honest, if you are thinking of buying one - check out ebay first.