Zune Refresh Hinted By Microsoft Job Posting

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If you’ve been paying attention you’ll know that there have been a whole slew of new entertainment technologies looking to make their mark on society like 3D displays and motion controlled gaming. However, while both technologies provide unique experiences some speculate that they are just a fad and these will one day go the way of the HD DVD.

Music, on the other hand, is timeless and will more than likely be around as long as there is people to listen to it. Regardless whether or not you like the more modern music, this is no secret. Burning music to a CD or purchasing one at the store and listening to it in the car or via your stereo is one route but MP3 players make the whole process a lot easier.

MP3 players have been around for quite some time but it wasn’t until the iPod reared its head that the devices really made their mark. Just about every year Apple comes forth to refresh their iPod line up bundling new highly sought in features that make a purchase even more justifiable.

However, if you aren’t looking to go the Apple route there are some other capable competitors to choose from. For instance, Microsoft has their traditional Zune MP3 players which eventually gave way to the touchscreen touting Zune HD.

While it’s no secret that Apple will refresh their product lines every year, as mentioned above, Microsoft has generally kept quiet about their own projects. We have heard rumors in the past of a Zune refresh, but nothing has been made official thus far.

Today, however, Microsoft has put up a new job listing on their website that gives us clues as to what they’re working on next. This job listing calls for a senior mechanical engineer that will aid Microsoft in creating “the next generation of portable entertainment and communication devices” and to join up with the same team that shipped the Zune HD.

Of course, this could perhaps be focusing on an in-house designed device powered by Windows Phone 7 but it wouldn’t be out of line to assume the company will also release a new Zune MP3 player at some point.

Seeing how the new iPod touch features highly sought after things like a front facing camera and ultra high res display, Microsoft really has their work cut out for them.