Xbox 360 avatar on Microsoft Zune HD media devices

Microsoft is now offering Xbox avatar engraving on its Zune HD media devices.

Announced on Friday, potential Zune HD owners can choose from a number of virtual character poses using their very own Xbox LIVE avatar. Microsoft will then engrave the Xbox LIVE avatar straight onto your Zune HD in time for Christmas.

Zune HD2 rumors suggest that the software giant is working on a future device. Last month two job postings emerged relating to new Zune hardware design roles. The Zune maker is currently seeking principle and senior design developers. Considering the Zune HD was released in September 2009, it’s not likely that Microsoft is looking to tweak the design of the current model.

Rumors of a Zune HD2 device have been making the rounds for months now. Mary Jo Foley originally suggested that Microsoft was working on the HD2 after a tipster said new devices could arrive next year. The two new job roles seem to suggest that Microsoft is recruiting hardware design experts. A new commercial advertising the Zune HD emerged late last month which also shows Microsoft hasn’t forgotten about its media device.

Microsoft Xbox 360 is Number1 selling console in US

Market Research firm NPD has released its November figures which show Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is still the number one selling console in the United States.

The report notes that Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is still the best selling console, having dominated the top spot for six straight months. The Xbox 360 sold nearly 1.4 million units in November compared to the 325,000 units in October. The figures show that 50% of spend on current generation consoles is on the Xbox 360 alone.

Microsoft launched its controller-less console accessory for the Xbox 360 across the world earlier this month. The Kinect sensor is a horizontal bar that sits at the base of your TV. The device has an RGB camera, depth sensor and multi-array microphone which runs proprietary software. Kinect allows for full-body 3D motion capture, facial recognition, and voice recognition. Owners will be able to interact with games titles using just their body. Pausing TV and fast forwarding movies can be achieved using a mix of hand movements and voice control.

Microsoft’s Kinect has been extremely popular. Microsoft recently revealed that it has sold 2.5 million Kinect units worldwide in just 25 days. The company expects to sell 5 million units by Christmas. The popularity of Kinect will likely contribute to the long shelf life of the Xbox 360. Microsoft has managed to keep the console fresh by updating its hardware and software regularly over the past five years. Do you expect Microsoft to introduce a new Xbox within the next two years?