Zune HD is now official

After long of unintentional and intentional leaks, Microsoft finally came clean of its newest entertainment mobile device that's made to directly compete with Apple's ever popular iPod: the Zune HD. There's no drum beat or even the sound of breath-holding (that silence moment before the the velvet curtain opened) for the announcement, since we pretty much already knew it is coming.

Nevertheless, it's worth the news coverage because Microsoft apparently has packed in some serious specs inside the Zune HD. The most notable and worth mentioning is none other than NVIDIA's Tegra chip ultralow-power HD processor, which is why the Zune HD is capable of HD video playback to an HDTV in 720p resolution! A Monsterous beast...

The other specs and features include:

• Built-in HD Radio™ receiver. Allows you to listen to higher-quality sound than is available from traditional radio channels, as well as access additional programming through HD2 and HD3 multicast channels from many of your favorite local FM radio stations at no extra cost.
• HD video output capabilities. Supports HD video playback from the device through a premium HDMI A/V docking station (sold separately) directly to an HDTV in 720p, making it easy to enjoy better-than-DVD-quality video on your own big screen at home.
• OLED touch screen. Allows you to easily flip through music, movies and other content. The 3.3-inch glass screen and 16:9 widescreen format display (480x272 resolution) offer a premium viewing experience.
• Built-in Wi-Fi. Allows for browsing, streaming or downloading new music from Zune Marketplace.
• Internet browser. Full-screen Web browsing, optimized for the multitouch screen with zoom-in and zoom-out gestures.
• Accessories, at home and on the road. Zune HD and AV Dock charges and syncs players while playing supported 720p HD videos on HDTVs. Play HD Radio, music and podcasts from your Zune HD device through your car stereo using the Zune Premium Car Pack.

The Zune HD is set to hit store shelves on Sept. 15, available in 16GB ($ $219.99) and 32GB ($289.99) capacities. Pre-order starts on-line on Thursday, Aug. 13 but only for Zune HD in 16GB Black and 32GB Platinum. Afterwards, on Sept. 15 both 16GB and 32GB capacities of Zune HD will be available in five different colors with the option to customize your player with one of 10 new engravings designed by guest artists.

Have you started drooling and feeling confuse on which one you should get between Zune HD or iPod Touch? Then perhaps you can see the obvious differences with the help of below comparison chart of the two entertainment devices, courtesy of PC World.