Microsoft's Zune HD will launch in the US on September 8th, if leaked documents obtained by Gizmodo.com are to be believed. According to the documents, Microsoft's upcoming handheld will launch in 8GB and 32GB capacities - matching the maximum capacity available from Apple's similar iPod touch.
The documents offer no word of pricing, but despite the fact that Microsoft isn't yet committing to global availability, we're looking forward to the US launch of the Zune HD later this year for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, the next-generation Microsoft handheld will once again attempt to rattle the dominant iPod line from Apple. We don't expect to see the iPod disturbed as the top-selling portable music player, but we always enjoy watching the underdog try.
Secondly, the Zune HD will arrive with innards based on NVIDIA's Tegra SoC. That, in theory, will make the little media player capable of outputting HD video to big-screen displays. And it should make the touchscreen interface notably slick, too. If you believe NVIDIA's hyperbole, it could also pave the way for a Tegra revolution.
