It looks likely that Microsoft will launch a new version of the Zune MP3 Player on September the 5th or 8th.

Microsoft say the about the Zune HD

• Zune HD is the next iteration of the Zune device family and brings a new level of listening and viewing experiences to the portable media player category.
• Zune HD comes with a built-in HD Radio receiver so users can listen to higher-quality sound than traditional radio on the go. Users also will have access to the additional song and artist data broadcast by HD Radio stations as well as additional channels from their favorite stations multicasting in HD. If you don’t like the song playing on your station’s HD channel, switch to its HD2 or HD3 channels for additional programming.
• The bright OLED touch screen interface allows users to flip through music, movies and other content with ease, and the 16:9 widescreen format display (480×272 resolution) offers a premium viewing experience on the go.
• The HD-compatible output lets Zune HD customers playback supported HD video files from the device through a premium high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) audiovisual docking station (sold separately) direct to an HD TV in 720p.*
• Zune HD will include a full-screen Internet browser optimized for multitouch functionality.
• Zune HD is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing for instant streaming to the device from the more than 5 million-track Zune music store.

Even some Apple fans have been saying that maybe this is the MP3 player with a chance of making some inroads into the iPods dominance. And with Apple getting a lot of bad press over problems with the iPhone app store recently* and Microsoft getting the better of Yahoo in the search deal, may be Steve Ballmer isn’t such a bad replacement for Bill Gates.

The launch will be USA only at first it will be interesting to see what features a UK /Euro version of the Zune HD would have – the HD radio feature would have to change quite radically.

What do you think is the iPod going to be knocked off the top spot as the must have MP3 Player?

*note: The author thinks that most of Apples problems are due to its iPhone deal with ATT – you don’t get a nick name like the “Death Star” for nothing.

The latest Zune features an OLED display which according to those who have seen it is a gorgeous display.  The specs in brief, are: 3.3-inch, 480 x 272 OLED capacitive touchscreen display, built-in HD Radio receiver, HD output.

The HD output will require a new docking station and Microsoft have announced integration into the XBOX – and with the Xbox Microsoft has a delivery system that could rival the ITunes store – if developers develop for the Zune HD.

Gizmodo have some Video of the Zune HD in action.

No news as yet about a UK launch but the Zune HD looks like it could be much more successful that the original Zune.