Today is a big day for Microsoft, the technology world and Zuners like yourself – it’s the release day for Zune HD & Zune Software 4.0 which are now both available. This is seen as Microsoft’s big move, alongside Windows Seven which will probably make or break the Zune brand.

“The Zune team is hard at work and in preparation for the new Zune service launch, we are going to be doing some work starting on Monday, September 14 and the Zune Marketplace, Zune.net and Zune Social will be taken offline for scheduled maintenance.”
via ZuneInsider.com

A photo of one of the pamphlets handed out at Best Buy’s Zune HD showings reveal that HD movies are indeed coming to the Zune HD and the Zune Marketplace. The Zune Marketplace currently serves TV Shows, Video Podcasts and Music Videos and it looks as though HD Movies will be added to this with the release of Zune Software 4.0.

The news includes photos confirming Zune HD will infact have Apps, four more Zune HD videos and hands-ons, tonnes of news with the Zune HD’s being showed off at Best Buys around America, photos of the Zune HD final packaging and promotional materials and a Zune HD & AV Kit bundle.

With an iTunes based subscription service no where in sight and no iTunes streaming service either, Zune still has one up on Apple in this market and its the one thing that really rattles the fanboys. However with the recent Spotify app announcement for the iPhone things sound killler – except they aren’t, here is why.

Microsoft has been hinting towards their desire to release a portable gaming device. Considering their success with the XBOX gaming console this comes as no surprise. Microsoft currently has no presence in the handheld gaming market. They will have to compete with Nintendo DS and Sony PSP, with the next gen PSP already rumored to [...]

Something I’ve just seen over at Zune Thoughts is the fact that you can only listen to 30 seconds of a track, even if it was sent to you from a friends Zune and your playing it on the PC. Furthermore you are unable to play music from a Zune device through your PC / [...]

A new shot of the zuneHD in the wild has been uploaded by @fitret, who is a Program Manager for Xbox 360 and is lucky enough to already have his hands on one. Here’s his tweet: “For those asking about #zuneHD: It’s awesome! Great UX. Don’t know about battery life yet, mine hasn’t run out.” [...]