Now that Microsoft has given us the official release date for the Zune HD, there’s rumors swirling about the impending Apple iPod Event taking place on September 7th, around the same time it’s been held in previous years. Microsoft missed out on a great opportunity to upstage Apple with their Zune HD, if they could have released it a week or two before Apple’s iPod event but in Microsoft fashion, they’ll find themselves looking up at Apple once again.

From everything I’ve read and seen about the Zune HD, it seems like a very solid device, one that’s worthy of competing against Apple’s iPod Touch, but the release date should have been sooner and here’s why. Apple’s iPod event is one that many tech and gadget fans look forward to. Although the Apple events have been less than stellar the last few years, it’s still a big event and gets a lot of coverage, starting at the end of August and at the beginning of September. By waiting till after the Apple event, Microsoft will lose out on the many impulse buyers or those on the border choosing between the Zune HD and the iPod Touch.

Apple also does something Microsoft failed to do with the Zune HD, have the device available on the day its announced. Microsoft Zune HD’s are available for pre-order but not available in any stores or online until it’s global release on September 15th.

Microsoft’s timing is also pretty bad because Apple’s iPod Touch will have updated features, a camera being the most likely upgrade and a price drop, which happens almost every year. According to Daring Fireball’s John Gruber, “The Zune HD prices look good compared to today’s iPod Touches, but not so much compared to the new camera-equipped ones Apple is set to announce next month (16/32/64 GB for $199/299/399).” With the one week gap between the Apple iPod Event and Microsoft’s Zune release, music fans will opt for the iPod Touch, with Microsoft fans and Apple haters as the exception, before the Zune is even released. And let’s not forget the many outlets the iPod Touch will be sold in.

I love the Microsoft Zune HD and I haven’t ever said that about a Microsoft product but with an Apple iPod event a week before the Zune release, I’d definitely wait till I see what Apple releases. Impulse buyers will buy the iPod Touch on release day when it’s usually available in most stories and for order online.

Microsoft Zune HD is a great device with new features that makes it stand out from the crowd but will it be enough to attract people away from the updated iPod Touch after Apple’s iPod Event? I highly doubt it. Microsoft had a great opportunity to make the Zune a popular device, but once again they’ll find themselves trailing Apple in the PMP department.

I wonder if Microsoft knows Apple holds an iPod event every year, because the rest of the world knows, so why would someone release the device after Apple holds their event?