The long awaited competitor to Apple’s iTouch is soon to arrive sometime in September, sources say. With a machined aluminum casing, a fabulous 3.3” OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) screen, and a speculated 16GB/32GB hard drive, maybe even a 64GB, Microsoft sure hopes for their newest Zune device to rival the iTouch’s sales.

                Though most of the Zune owners now say that they hope for a larger hard drive in this new addition to the family of Zune, some are okay with it, happy that the current possibilities for the hard drive mean no moving parts, which would also mean a longer battery life, possibly longer than the 120GB’s and 80GB’s 24-hour battery life, allowing the user to listen to music for, hopefully, much longer periods of time.

                Along with the gorgeous OLED touch-screen, there is suggested that a web browser will be implemented in with the new Zune device software.  The web browser uses a Wi-Fi internet connection, often available at most fast food chains, and other restaurants.  The browser is to have tap-to-zoom technology, a lovely QWERTY keyboard, and a built in accelerometer, so says Microsoft’s Official Zune HD site (http://www.zune.net/en-us/mp3players/zunehd/default.htm) . There is no word yet on the availability of JavaScript or Flash objects able to be played in the browser, or even if it is a “miniature Internet Explorer 8,” but here’s hoping.

                Just like the rest of the members of the Zune Family, the standard Wi-Fi connect ability is available, hopefully even improved. This allows one to download songs from the Zune Marketplace directly from the internet, and onto the device. An awesome capability if the owner has wireless internet in their home, creating no need to physically link the device to the computer to sync songs.

                And now the high detail options, the new device’s namesake. The Zune HD is to have HD video output, supported in 720p. Though, the owner needs to have the AV dock and appropriate cords, this new function would be great for talking your movies on the go. The new Zune HD is to have HD radio, a great crystal-clear reception with and integrated HD radio tuner, possibly making it easier to tag those songs that you know you love on the radio, or even just to figure out the name of one song that’s on and is bothering you ‘cause you just can’t remember the name of that song.

                And for those people who want to drool over the specs: the new NVIDIA Tegra chip is rumored to be behind those stunning graphics. Hopefully, with that piece of technology, we could have some newer, maybe more fun games on the Zune HD, or more graphically intense/pleasing simulations and applications.

                All of these awesome specs, at what price? Well, unfortunately, no price to date has been released, but it is expected to be in the range from 400-$500USD, though it could be more or less…  And all the Zune community is excitedly awaiting the arrival of this new device with baited breath.

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Visit Zune.com to find the latest updates on the Zune family. Search for the Zune HD on their website and you can sign up for more updates to be sent to your e-mail.