Its been a long time coming, well a few months is an eternity in gadget years, but Microsoft’s Zune HD has officially launched. Given the amount of hype surrounding it you’ll find plenty of coverage around the web. Here are a few of the choice links:

Zune HD unboxing @ engadget
Zune 4.0 software @ Zune.net
Zune HD Review @ Zune Scene
Zune HD Teardown @ iFixit
Zune HD Disassembly @ anythingbutipod

Microsoft has also announced that they’re working on adding applications like Facebook and Twitter to the Zune HD meanwhile old Zune model owners have a new software version 3.2 to look forward to with as of yet announced fixes or enhancements.

Creative’s Zii chip made a bit of a splash when it was announced, given its 3DLabs pedigree the system on a chip has some impressive capabilities for the mobile crowd. The company has launched a video showing their Zii Egg Developers platform off running Google’s Android OS.

Slick is a succinct way to describe it although an OS fine tuned to their chip’s capabilities would have been an even niftier demonstration.

Creative Labs announced their Zii system on a chip processor about six months ago. The chip was designed by their ZiiLABS subsidiary and sports a pair of ARM processing cores strapped to some 3DLabs graphics wizardry for a chip that should be at home in just about any modern portable gadget.

Of course the first device comes in the form of a personal media player named Creative Zii, which is undergoing testing by the FCC, has been uncovered.

The Zii sports a touch screen interface, bluetooth and WiFi support, and will likely support a wide number of media file types to playback. As for a release date? Your guess is as good as any.

Source: epiZENter

Despite Microsoft’s Zune HD being a good several months away CNET’s Ina Fried has managed to get her hands on a real working model of the personal media player. She walks us through its touch screen capabilities and picture viewing while rattling on about its other features.