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Special edition Zune available to US soldiers

Published on 8th August 2007 by Phil Cogar

The new Halo 3 Military Edition Zune for all you military folks out there.

Early this month, expect to see a new version of the increasingly popular Microsoft Zune out and about. Don't expect to be able to buy it right off a shelf though, unless you're a member of the US military.

The Zune, which sold its one millionth unit back in May, will come in a new look called the Halo 3 Military Edition.

Nothing much has changed on the new Zune features wise, but the new brown coloured version will come in a collectible Halo 3 box and come pre-loaded with music, artwork, and trailers from each of the Halo games.

If you're a service member or a family member of one, you'll be able to pick one up at the Navy and Marine Corp commissaries, AAFES, and other military retailers for a discounted price.

Microsoft decided to make the special edition Zune after receiving feedback on just how popular the device is among US troops.

"Microsoft has been a great partner to the USO of Metropolitan Washington for several years, supporting both our U.S. soldiers and the USO's mission. From Zune devices and Xbox 360 gaming consoles to new computers with the latest Windows Vista and Office software, Microsoft's technology has helped service members stay connected and entertained." said Elaine Rogers, president of the USO of Metropolitan Washington about the new edition.

If you're looking to buying a Zune and this one doesn't fit you fancy, you might just want to hold out for the second generation Zunes that should be out by Christmas.

How many of you service men and women out there will picking one of these special edition Zunes up? If you have a Zune already or even if you don't, tell us what you think about them down below in the comments or over in the forums.

20 Comments

Discuss in the forums Reply

mclean007 8th August 2007, 13:30

Halo branding + limited availability = very respectable profit on eBay??

Amon 8th August 2007, 13:57

www.goarmy.com

It's printed somewhere on the box, we should expect.

mmorgue 8th August 2007, 14:19

Just thinking of how it will look when they start turning up in the hands of scumbag insurgents when they consider them to be 'war trophies'...

Fly 8th August 2007, 14:23

Brown in colour? LOL! they won't get lost at all...

Tim S 8th August 2007, 14:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fly
Brown in colour? LOL! they won't get lost at all...

Ideally, they'd be DPM :)

Perforated 8th August 2007, 15:16

HAH! Re: goarmy.com site, I clicked & the first thing I see is "...to win an ipod..."!

Most of what I was going to say has been said - eBay profit, definitely. Hadn't thought about them getting lost, genius!

capnPedro 8th August 2007, 16:08

So, what's actually different between the military and civilian versions? From the sound of it, Military Halo 3 Zune = Halo 3 Zune at a lower price.

mikeuk2004 8th August 2007, 17:21

Looks nice. But with the ever crashing windows and overheating 360's, I think i'll skip on the the MS product range when it comes to MP3.

Does look nice though

The_Beast 8th August 2007, 18:39

I borrowed my friends Zune and I didn't like it that much (I have an iPod)

Do you think I could get one because my cousin is about to be deployed???

Khensu 8th August 2007, 18:44

Quote:

Do you think I could get one because my cousin is about to be deployed???

I guess that depends on their definition of "family": maybe it only includes siblings and parents, maybe it also includes extended family. Give 'em a call, but watch out for the "why don't you come over to our recruitment centre and sign some forms?"-trap ;)

The_Beast 8th August 2007, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khensu
I guess that depends on their definition of "family": maybe it only includes siblings and parents, maybe it also includes extended family. Give 'em a call, but watch out for the "why don't you come over to our recruitment centre and sign some forms?"-trap ;)

I think I'm a little young (15 almost 16) to sign up

Amon 8th August 2007, 19:03

I'm pretty sure extended family in included. Most young soldiers are not married.

bloodcar 8th August 2007, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amon
I'm pretty sure extended family in included. Most young soldiers are not married.

I doubt extended family is included. Generally only immediate family members can receive discounts at military retail stores. I could be wrong though as they could have changed it within the past five years for all I know.

Khensu 8th August 2007, 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amon
I'm pretty sure extended family in included. Most young soldiers are not married.

No, but they do have mummies and daddies and brothers and sisters, eh ;)

Unless there's something the Army isn't telling us...

Soulmage 8th August 2007, 22:41

Basically you would have to get the service member to purchase it for you. In order to purchase it yourself, you would need to have a military ID (dependent ID for those not IN the service) and access to the on base/post (called by different names depending on branch of service). Personally, from the little bit of messing around i have done with a display model at the PX/BX, I think the Zune offers much more that the ipod video (which would be the comparable product).

(If you couldn't tell, I am currently in the service. Stationed at Pope AFB if any of you are near :p )

woodshop 8th August 2007, 23:48

I would think they would rather have one that is completely sealed from dirt and sand, with a scratch proof screen and resistant to 109 degree F temps..

Xir 9th August 2007, 07:20

So they get a cheaper one, possibly (if bought outside of the country) Tax-Free...

Big Deal, this has been going on for decades. :D I'm sure the Brits placed in Germany have similar deals?

I'm just sorry that I've lost my NATO-status and can't buy at a PX anymore :o (but then again, thats also been a decade)

Xir

Fly 9th August 2007, 17:45

A Zune would last a week in the desert, our challenger tanks lasted little more when we first used them in those conditions. The sand and temperature differences are ruthless. But nice idea.

Hamish 10th August 2007, 14:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fly
A Zune would last a week in the desert, our challenger tanks lasted little more when we first used them in those conditions. The sand and temperature differences are ruthless. But nice idea.

make a special desert one and call it the Dune Zune!

Cupboard 13th August 2007, 10:59

I have one and am very hapy with it, but the battery life is a problem. Surely if you are away somewhere, the electricity will be a bit dodgy so charging will be hard? you also have to buy the travel pack to get a wall charger, so thats a good ploy by MS ;)

Quote:

A Zune would last a week in the desert, our challenger tanks lasted little more when we first used them in those conditions. The sand and temperature differences are ruthless. But nice idea.

I dropped mine after having it for a week and the case opened along the side, it soon clipped back in though:D