The Zune HD is Microsoft’s portable media player (PMP) platform that is the envy of Windows Mobile users hoping to get in on the slick, high quality metal and glass materials for the enclosure, the capacitive touch display, and a re-vamped Internet Explorer that Remond reps have confirmed to be Zune-specific. The latest leak reveals that the touchscreen music player will be released on September 8th by Best Buy, just a mere days before or after some US prominent carrier Touch Pro2 launches.

Read on for pricing information and analysis.

Having recently cleared the FCC, the Zune HD will arrive in 16 GB and 32 GB offerings for $220 and $290 respectively. Microsoft’s aggressive pricing will price the Zune HD under Apple’s comparable iPod Touch, which has been leading the touch-based flash music player segment at $200 and $400 for the same respective capacities. The Zune HD will best the iPod with 720p HD video out via the capable docking port, a feature that was demoed at GDGT in San Francisco. Moreover, having hands-on time with the material and size of the Zune HD, I can attest that the device feels nicer than the iPod equivalent.

The Zune HD will be a close cousin to Windows Mobile device. WMPowerUser has found that the core OS powering the Zune HD will be none other than Windows CE; Windows CE also powers Windows Mobile, with the visual elements of Windows Mobile serving essentially as Microsoft’s smartphone UI on top of the CE base. Rumors have it that the Zune HD operates on Windows CE 7.

It is uncertain whether Microsoft’s lower price points for the Zune HD models can best Apple’s efforts. Analysts and tech journalists are speculating that Apple will refresh its iPod lineup at a media event in September or early fall. With previous refreshes, Apple has doubled the capacity of its flash music player while keeping the prices steady (or dropping prices slightly). Also rumored for the iPod Touch are features that include microphone, video recording capabilities, photo, and video editing, bringing the Touch closer to the iPhone and making the Touch into a capable VOIP phone replacement.

(via: WMPowerUser and SlashGear)