Do you remember that iPod killer thing that was manufactured by Microsoft, called Zune? Yeah, it certainly didn’t touch the iPod in terms of sales, but that hasn’t stopped Microsoft from retrying once again.

The company has just announced a new, sleeker version, now dubbed Zune HD. Obviously by adding the “H” & the “D” to the end of the name, they hope that will help people realize this is a high-tech device. Although, the features suggest it’s trying to be an iPhone, but without the phone part — so I guess its just an iPod touch.

This new version is going to have a few new elements, when compared to the older version. The biggest difference this time around is the touchscreen, which is something most handhelds will include in the future. I’m guessing Microsoft plans on including some kind of app-store, where games will be made available to owners for download. In the same press release, the company mentioned how they plan on integrating Xbox Live to the unit, but didn’t go into any other details.

However, they did mention how more information will become available at E3, next week. That alone tells me Microsoft plans on bringing some kind of mobile gaming to the Zune. Remember, E3 is for the most part — a video game convention.

I might even have more evidence to support this theory. Last month, Microsoft posted a classified ad on Careerbuilder.com. The posting was trying to find a suitable applicant to bring the Halo world to mobile devices. Could this Hale mobile device application be for the Zune HD? Maybe. If this is the case, what a great move on Microsoft’s part because that is something they have, that Apple doesn’t — first-party games. Of course, this is nothing but speculation.

Some other features the Zune HD offers include:

*HD Radio

*HD Video Output (720p)

*Wifi

*Accelerometer

*OLED Display

*480 x 272 Resolution

Microsoft expects the Zune HD to come out this fall, just in time for the holidays. However, I wouldn’t start thinking this is also going to be an iPhone killer too, and for a number of reasons. One, it is not a phone and two, it doesn’t really do anything innovative but copy many of the iPhone’s features. Also, Apple should be announcing the successor of their second generation phones, and I’m pretty sure it will update many features, as well include new and original ones.

After the jump, check out the full press release.

Microsoft Announces the Expansion of the Zune Entertainment Service to New Platform and Markets; Confirms New Zune HD Portable Media Player

Premium Zune digital entertainment service to be available internationally on Xbox LIVE.

REDMOND, Wash. – May 26, 2009 – Microsoft Corp. today announced the evolution of Zune, the company’s end-to-end music and entertainment service, to a new platform and new markets. Zune will extend its video service to Xbox LIVE internationally this fall. This marks an important development in the Zune strategy and brings the Zune brand to more than 17 million international Xbox LIVE subscribers. In addition, Microsoft confirmed the next generation of the Zune portable media player, Zune HD. Available in the U.S. this fall, Zune HD is the first portable media player that combines a built-in HD Radio receiver, high-definition (HD) video output capabilities, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) touch screen, Wi-Fi and an Internet browser.

“The Zune music player is an integral part of the overall Zune experience, and we’re proud to be growing and extending our offering beyond the device,” said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the Microsoft TV, Video and Music Business Group. “Delivering on Microsoft’s connected entertainment vision, this news marks a turning point for Zune as it brings cross-platform experiences and premium video content to living rooms around the world.”

Zune Service Expands to New Platform

Zune will be a premium partner in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, bringing an exciting catalog of TV and film to the platform. Zune will occupy the first slot within the Xbox user interface in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, exposing the Zune brand experience to millions of new consumers for the first time. At the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) next week, attendees will see firsthand how Zune integrates into Xbox LIVE to create a game-changing entertainment experience.

Introducing Zune HD

Zune HD is the next iteration of the Zune device family and brings a new level of listening and viewing experiences to the portable media player category.

* Zune HD comes with a built-in HD Radio receiver so users can listen to higher-quality sound than traditional radio on the go. Users also will have access to the additional song and artist data broadcast by HD Radio stations as well as additional channels from their favorite stations multicasting in HD. If you don’t like the song playing on your station’s HD channel, switch to its HD2 or HD3 channels for additional programming.
* The bright OLED touch screen interface allows users to flip through music, movies and other content with ease, and the 16:9 widescreen format display (480×272 resolution) offers a premium viewing experience on the go.
* The HD-compatible output lets Zune HD customers playback supported HD video files from the device through a premium high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) audiovisual docking station (sold separately) direct to an HD TV in 720p.*
* Zune HD will include a full-screen Internet browser optimized for multitouch functionality.
* Zune HD is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing for instant streaming to the device from the more than 5 million-track Zune music store.

More information on Zune and related images is available at http://www.zune.net/press and http://www.zune.net/ZuneHD.

About Zune

Zune is Microsoft’s music and entertainment brand that provides an integrated digital entertainment experience. The Zune platform includes a line of portable digital media players, elegant software, the Zune Marketplace online store, Zune Pass music subscription service, and the Zune Social online music community, created to help people discover more music. Zune is part of Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division and supports the company’s software-based services vision to help drive innovation in the digital entertainment space. More information can be found online at http://www.zune.net/en-us/press.

About Xbox LIVE

Xbox LIVE connects more than 17 million members across 26 countries to each other and the entertainment they love. Home of more content from one remote than can be found from any device connected to the television, Xbox LIVE is also a unified online social network bringing friends together, no matter where they are – in the living room or across the world. More information and Xbox LIVE membership can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

* Supported 720p HD video files play on the device, downscaled to fit the screen at 480 x 272 – not HD resolution. Zune HD and AV Dock, and an HDTV (all sold separately) are required to view video at HD resolution.

HD Radio™ and the HD Radio logo are proprietary trademarks of iBiquity Digital Corp.