Microsoft has opened up its Zune Originals customization for custom images. Zune HD buyers can now either upload a photo of their own or use their Xbox Live avatars in one of several poses. They are etched in grayscale and the photos allow four different etch styles.

Either of these options adds $25 to the price and can be combined with any color and is available for 16GB, 32GB and 64GB capacities. Microsoft sells players with the special engraving starting at $205 for a 16GB edition all the way up to $375 for a 64GB model. Each model comes with a free power adapter to charge from the PC.

Microsoft has given the Zune HD its first significant app catalog update in months and headlined it with Windows Live Messenger. The app is the Zune’s first instant messaging app. It supports most of the same features, like Facebook chat as well as social feeds from Facebook, Flickr and MySpace. It doesn’t really multitask but will change status to reflect currently playing music.

There are also three action and puzzle games, Castles & Cannons, Dr. Optics and WordMonger. Microsoft last gave the Zune HD a major non-game app through the Facebook client in March. It appears that they really are turning their attention more toward Windows Phone 7, which should have much broader app support.

Apparently Zune HD head Dave McLauchlan has been making deals with studios to get tons of movies ready for viewing so that you can do more than stare out your window on flights. 500 Zunes are being provided for long-haul flights to Hong Kong and Australia.

They will preload the devices with exclusive content, including movies that haven’t yet made it to a DVD release. The Zune HDs in question will now been encased in rubber, with their screens protected, and batteries charged.

When it comes to design, the Zune HD is one of the best. So we are glad to know that a new version may be in the works. ZDNet thinks that some new Zune hardware is coming soon. We don’t have much in the way of details, but speculation is that it would be packing an ARM CPU with some software tricks from Windows Phone 7.

Whatever the case, we should know by early 2011 as that’s when it would arrive.

We recently had news that the Zune HD 64 would be arriving on April 12th, but the news just got better. The Zune HD 64 is available today, retailing for $349.99 and will come in a range of colors. If you like, you can also get it etched with the Zune Originals artwork or your choice of text message.

So who’s getting a Zune HD 64? Or are you happy with your Apple product? Let us know in the comments.

We can’t really say we’re surprised, but Microsoft has announced a 64GB version of Zune HD. This one is arriving on April 12th in the Zune online store, it will hit other retailers later.

It comes on the scene with a few different color options and a $349.99 price tag. The 16GB and 32GB versions will each get a $20 price cut, to $200 and $270. Does this make all of your Zune hopes and dreams come true?

The link may not work, but look at that. The Zune HD 64 has made an appearance on the official Zune website. Seems like Microsoft has something they want to tell us.

A 64GB Zune HD, which doubles the capacity of the previous model and means that we have three models to choose from. There’s no further info on it just yet, but as soon as Microsoft wants to stop teasing us and give us some real info, we’ll let you know.

Over the past few days Microsoft has silently cut prices on the Zune HD through an at least temporary promo. Microsoft’s media player now costs $190 for a 16GB model at Amazon. That’s $32 less than the original price. The 32GB model has also dropped to $250.

Microsoft’s very own store has dropped its prices as well, to $200 for a 16GB Zune HD and $270 for a 32GB edition. It’s looking like a great time to buy a Zune. Walmart and some other retailers are also closely matching those prices on Amazon.

So you have yourself a Zune HD and you’ve downloaded your new Twitter app. You’re looking forward to some sweet HD tweet time. But wait. How come that guy you just called a ^$%bag didn’t get called an %$%bag? That ain’t right.

In a sad turn of events, this app censors bad words. Hey if you want to tweet swear words all day it’s your god given right ya ***head. Besides, if those who follow you on Twitter don’t have a problem with it, who cares? Nice move Microsoft.

Soon you’ll be tweeting and retweeting in glorious HD thanks to Microsoft, who is planning to release a Twitter app for the Zune HD personal media player. The free app will be available tomorrow morning at 9 AM sharp, downloadable via the Zune software on a PC or over a wireless connection.

So at 9 AM you can expect a million tweets of “Got my Zune HD Twitter App…” which will lead to the fail whale, casting darkness over the land of tweet.

If you thought that the Zune HD needed some more color options, well here’s some good news. How does magenta and purple sound? Microsoft’s Zune Store now has options for purple and magenta colors for the player.

The colors will be available on December 1st, which is just in time for Santa to buy one for you. We don’t know if they will be available for both 16GB and 32GB versions, but we hope so. More options are always a good thing.

I am not sure how I feel about the companies that tear up perfectly good gadgets to show us what’s inside the shiny case. I guess it’s much better than me having to tear into my own gadget out of morbid curiosity.

The gang over at Rapid Repair has torn their shiny new Zune HD asunder for your viewing pleaser, or displeasure depending on how gadget squeamish you are. It appears that that teardown is relatively easy to accomplish and you are sure to void your warranty if you open your own up.

The new Zune HD arrives on Tuesday in the U.S., and if you haven’t already pre-ordered from Amazon, just enter the right coupon codes at Dell and you can save $43 on the 32GB model and $33 on the 16GB model.

That’s 15% off with free two-day shipping. It probably won’t arrive by Tuesday, but you’re getting a great deal. So grab your credit card, or fire up your PayPal account and check out LogicBUY for the code.

Leaked images and all sorts of rumors have run rampant about Microsoft’s Zune HD. The device is the latest Zune PMP from Microsoft to try to combat the Apple iPod. The Zune HD is aimed directly at the iPod touch.

Microsoft announced today that the player is set to hit store shelves on September 15 and is available for pre-order today. The HD will be offered in 16GB and 32GB capacities and is the first touch screen Zune player.

Gizmodo has some screenshots from Best Buy’s inventory system showing the 16GB and 32GB Zune HD models going on sale September 8th for $220 and $290. Those prices are pretty cheap compared to the current iPod touch pricing, so the Zune HD is looking super competitive.

Of course the touch’s prices are likely to get adjusted sometime after the Zune HD’s launch. We’ll see what happens. The Zune HD is looking better and better. Are you sold yet?