Microsoft and Apple have been duking it out for years. Microsoft holds the title for pioneering the operating system through its MS-DOS, but Apple quickly developed the Mac and with it, the MAC OS X operating system. Whatever Microsoft had, Apple seemed to imitate with brilliant results. Apple matched iTunes with the Windows Media Player. They also developed Safari, a web browser much like the Internet Explorer. Apple continued to innovate products that put Microsoft to shame, and when Apple released its iPod on 2001, it seemed that Microsoft has been reduced to its operating system and its Office.

Microsoft regained its footing when they developed the Zune 30, a portable media player that had Wi-Fi and a 30GB capacity, a far cry from the first iPod, a simple contraption with a 5GB capacity. But Apple unveiled its masterpiece – the iPhone, Time Magazine’s Invention of the Year in 2007. They also released the iTouch, a touch-screen media player that looked like the iPhone, which even shared some of its fantastic features.

But now, Microsoft will release its newest product that will topple all of Apple’s gadgets. The Zune HD, Microsoft’s answer to the iTouch will be released on September 5, 2009. Like the iTouch, the player will be touch-screen, but better. It’s HD. You can watch videos in dazzling detail which you can stream to HDTVs. Its FM radio is even HD, meaning you can listen to the radio in crystal-clear reception for free. The radio gets better: you can tag songs for future reference.

With its 3.3-inch screen and vivid 16:9 OLED display (480×272 resolution), it is expected to cause a stir at Apple headquarters. Microsoft definitely paid attention – the model is slim, sleek, and sophisticated. Its capacity has yet to be confirmed, but rumors range from 16 to 32GB.

Like its previous Zune models, the Zune HD has access to Internet Explorer Mobile 6 through its Wi-Fi connectivity. Browsing has never been easier with tap-to-zoom technology, built in accelerometer, and touch-screen QWERTY keyboard. The user can browse the net or download music through the Zune Marketplace. Another unique feature is The Social, an online community that connects Zune users.

Microsoft is slowly catching up with the Apple empire with its Zune products. Although the company has said they have no plans of making a ZunePhone, Microsoft said that they want to offer its services to phones.

Related posts

• Microsoft’s Zune HD (0)
• Microsoft announces expansions to Zune and confirms Zune HD (0)
• Windows 7 Features That Should Be For Everybody (0)
• The Most Annoying Vista Problems and How to Solve Them (0)
• Optimizing Windows 7 (0)