There is so much Zune HD news and pictures floating around that I can barely contain myself.  We are slowly inching closer to release date, which is slated for sometime in September.  First, let’s take a look at pricing.  According to a Best Buy source, as well as the Amazon pre-order page, the 16GB Zune HD will be $220, and the 32GB will be $290.  The comparable 16GB second generation iPod Touch is $299, and the 32GB is $399.  That is a HUGE price difference.  A $100 cheaper for a 32GB Zune, who doesn’t like that. 

Next, news about the web capabilities of Zune HD have been scarce, but Cnet has had a chance to have a hands on with the device.  They were completely impressed with the web browser, which was developed by MS’s Internet Explorer team.  Its good to see MS using the right resources.  Have the people that are experts at web browsers design the web browser.  Also, though its not much of a shock, but Bling is included as the built-in search engine.  One downside, there is currently no support for Flash video and audio, but that sounds like a fix to be made in a later update.

Finally, there are more pictures and videos hitting the ‘net of the much anticipated Zune HD.  The FCC photos have been made public.  You can see some of the guts of the HD, especially the new NVIDA Tegra chip.  Also check out a video of the new Zune HD in action from its San Francisco premiere party.  I have to say that I am SOOOO EXCITED about the new Zune HD.  I’ve been a Zune fan from the beginning, and now I feel like the Zune will finally get the right kind of attention.  Watch-out iPod!!!

Via Gizmodo and Engadget

At about 1am Eastern time, Zune.net went dark.  I know that sounds scary, but its actually good news.  Microsoft was updating Zune Headquarters to allow for better performance, and they also threw in a few new features.  My favorite new feature is ‘follow the artist’.  This will allow Zuners to tag an artist that they like and receive all sorts of information:  news, tour dates, RSS feed aggregation, latest Twitter and blog posts.    Plus, the RSS feed aggregation will allow Zuners to add links to an artist page.  I love the fact you can get all your info in one place.  It is all about convenience.  The main page of Zune.net will also feature more social aspects with additional music recommendations and listening now module.  Just to clarify all of these updates are just for Zune.net, not the Zune software.  I would really like to see the ‘follow the artist’ integrated into the software.  Plug your Zune in, and the latest news and releases from your favs are right at your fingertips.

Via Zune Thoughts and SolSie.com

After all the rumors and speculation, we finally have some official information from Microsoft.  The Zune HD is suppose to hit the US sometime in the fall of 2009.  It has some tasty features.  The first, and I think the most exciting, is a multi-touch OLED screen.  The current screens on the Zunes are nice, but this should be beautiful.  It will give the user the ability to flip through music, videos, pictures, etc.  To go along with this new screen, is built in Wi-Fi and full screen internet access.  Web browsing will be a big part of the new Zune experience.  All I can say is that its about time.  All those years with a Wi-Fi connection, and finally we see the net.  Now to the HD part of the Zune HD.  The new device will come with a built-in HD radio receiver allowing the user to have better quality music along with the display of additional artist and song information.  Users will still be able to listen to normal radio if they are not interested in HD.  Plus, content from the Zune HD will be able to be displayed on an HD monitor or TV with the help of a special Zune HD dock.  MS also mentioned that there will be more information next week at the E3 Conference about how the Zune HD will interact with Xbox live.  Obviously, MS is going after the iPod Touch with this new device.  I am sooo excited about this new Zune.  I have been wanting a touchscreen Zune for over and year, and this looks like it will be an excellent device.  I can’t wait to get my hands on one.

This is pretty much self explanatory, and an amusing start to the weekend. Most of us are amused by the advertising antics of Microsoft and Apple, and this latest salvo fired from MacCentral seems to be having a little poke at the “Laptop Hunter” series from MS.

One thing Apple does well, irony

Well, there has just been a flurry of rumors pertaining to the new Zune becoming available in June.  Before I get to the news, I think MS should release all Zune products in June.  Zune in June….easy to remember and catchy.  Anyway, onto the speculation.  Originally, it was reported that someone from the Office 2010 team indicated on Twitter that “June 2009 will be an important month for Zune lovers”, and for people to avoid buying a Palm Pre or iPhone. Hearing that statement immediately makes me think of the much wanted, but much denied Zune Phone.  What else can one assume from that information? Well, MS spokesperson Brian Seitz said that the Twitter account was not an official MS Office 2010 account, and to not put much stock in the rumors.  Engadget Mobile did confirm that the account was indeed fake. However, when it comes right down to it, what do you really believe?  The guy who twittered admitted it was a hoax, but was it really just a cover-up by MS.  We DO KNOW that there will be new Zune hardware released sometime in 2009.  The rumored specs for the new Zune HD include: AMOLED touchscreen, HDMI output and either 16GB/32GB of storage.  I hope those specs are true with the 32GB of storage.  I guess for the time being it will just be wait and see.  Until the next rumor…maybe tomorrow???