This is not one we saw coming.  Microsoft released a bunch of games for the Zune HD today.  Here's the surprising part:  they're good - and they're FREE.

The games include Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition, Audiosurf Tilt and Vans Sk8: Pool Service (which all make use of the NVIDIA Tegra processor to do some incredible 3D rendering (these games look gorgeous).  Also in the mix: Checkers, Lucky Lanes Bowling and Piano.

But here is the fascinating part.  THEY'RE FREE. Like the (lame) games that came with the Zune HD originally, the games are supported by an ad at the beginning of play.

Grab 'em in the Marketplace.  These even download over the air using the Zune HD's excellent Wifi functionality.

Free (good) Zune HD games in place for ads - you ZuneLuvers luv?

One of the things that really caught our attention with the Zune HD announcements was the inclusion of a Web Browser.  This always seemed to be one of the benefits of the iPhone/iPod Touch experience and was interesting to see what Microsoft was dealing with that head on.

After a couple of days of playing with the browser, I have a few things so say.  This might not be a "traditional" review, but it is one of the more honest examinations that I've seen out there so far.

When Apple launched their "portable" browser, I already had years and years of Mobile Web experience.  There were highlights and low lights of the experiences but, to put things in plain English: since we could take the Web with us, I've been taking the Web with me.  The world of the Mobile Web was both frustrating and empowering as some got so close and others missed it so much.

See, the Web, as know it, is the full screen experience that we like on our computers.  It simply doesn't translate well to a few inches of space.  Some organizations, reformatted their data for the smaller screen and this worked great.  Yahoo was one of the best early examples.  I actually preferred their Mobile Web interface over their traditional site.  Heck, I think I still do.

When Apple launched, they attempted to bring the "full Web" to a portable device.  Functionally, it worked, but, honestly, it wasn't anything that anyone would "surf" on for a long time.  Yes, you could get the task done but the real benefit came when we started to see sites formatted specifically for the iPhone.  And, let's admit it, the iPhone gave the numbers to make such efforts worth it for Websites.

But the Safari iPhone experience, despite the marketshare, is not the only way people are surfing Web content on their phones.  Nokia or Opera, anyone?

The Zune HD Web Browser is the best possible "Mobile Web" browser I've ever seen, period.  It's fast and makes a heck of a lot of sense.  I'm quite happy with it, but I'm not so happy with sites that don't format copy for it.

One example of the coolnees: the NewYorkTimes.com takes almost 4 times as long to load on my iPhone (via wifi) as it does my Zune HD (via wifi).  Why?  The Zune HD brings up the "Mobile Web" version of the site while the iPhone attempts to bring up the whole site.  Viewing the "whole" site on the iPhone is a PAIN.  It's a lot prettier, but it's a PAIN.  Doing the Mobile Web thing let's me read the content I'm looking for much faster.

Also cool: Google and Gmail and Google Reader and all those other sites "look" a lot better on the iPhone but "work" a lot better on the Zune HD.

So, yes, you can do the pinch zoom in and zoom out thing, but at it's core, it's a browser for the Mobile Web - which is exactly what I think it should be.

I'm sure some will complain.

I won't.

I'm happy.

You?

As I type this, I'm listening to an old favorite on my new Zune HD.  This baby is fascinating on multiple levels - most of which, of course, we'll try to discuss here.

I have no desire to give you a full "review" at this point because it simply wouldn't be a full review.  As you know, here at ZuneLuv.com, we deconstruct the Zune as much as anything else and since I've only had this thing for about 90 minutes, … not much to give you yet.

But, I'll tell you this - it's a gorgeous experience.  The cloud approach to music enabled by this thing will change music - perhaps even more so than what iTunes has done.  Yes, you read me right.  More on that later.

Here are a few reviews from some of our favorites and an embed of an unboxing video I was able to do a few days ago (had the device, but couldn't make it work until the software update this morning).

Zune Thoughts talks Zune 4.0.

Inside The Circle offers an inside video.

Got Zune isn't totally thrilled (I thought you only offered the "good news", ZuneLuv?).

Todd Bishop sums things up as only Todd can.

If the following video below is real, and we have every reason to think that it is, we've got some very cool Zune HD and Xbox integration coming soon.

As the video below shows, … Xbox and Zune are finally coming together for a single source of content.  I.e., you buy a video (movie or television we're guessing) in the Zune Marketplace and you have the ability to watch it either on your Zune or your Xbox.

One place to buy, one way to play, multiple ways to watch.

Whereas Apple has had this for years (to be honest, they've never had a situation where a piece of media bought from Apple can't be played on an Apple device), this is the first time Microsoft is even admitting that this is an issue.

Nice to see they've got an answer.

Watch the video and tell us what you think below.

The following is obviously a Microsoft produced commercial for the Zune HD.  Since there has been so little (any?) official screenshots of this thing, anything coming out of Redmond is worth your attention.

A lot of people are talking about this clip because of the very clear view of a 3D racing game inside of the interface.  Looks awesome - much better than any of the games we've seen coming with the Zune HD so far.

We don't know if this is the only thing worth commenting on though.  It's obvious Microsoft is positioning this thing as much more than an mp3 player.  This is a complete entertainment device and if hot gaming is part of it …

Does this video point to some "big surprise" coming on Tuesday?

Enjoy the video and place your comments below

On Monday, September 14, at 11:00am, Zune.net goes down for scheduled maintenance.

During this time they'll be updating everything for the new Zune software update and some very cool updates to the Zune.net site.

I can tell you I've seen what is coming and not only is it very cool, but some of the features haven't been leaked yet. You're in for a pleasant surprise.

Excited? What do you think they got coming?

So, some interesting news from Apple.  Gdgt did the best coverage of the event, so we'll recommend you get the details there.

Three points worth mentioning.

iPod Touch Pricing no longer makes Zune HD "cheaper." Apple apparently doesn't want pricing to be an issue.

iPod Nano includes a video camera.  Very odd that they didn't put it on the iPod Touch.  Should be pretty obvious that they're worried about hurting iPhone sales.

No HD video announcements.  Looks like Zune HD will be the only player (at the moment) that does HD video out.

Nothing really that impressive at all - and Apple usually impresses.

Will any of these announcements affect Zune HD's launch in any way?

The current rumor out there is that Microsoft is discontinuing all Zune Models that aren't from the new Zune HD line.

If you track this rumor back to the source, it seems to come from Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows.

I don't know directly of any "bogus" information to have come from Paul's site (do you?) and this one actually makes a bit of sense.  It's obvious Microsoft is pouring everything into the Zune HD and to get rid of everything else might be a decent move.

What's your take?  Is Zune HD "it?"  Is this a smart move from Microsoft?

We like keeping up with Zune HD reviews and articles by people in the know. 2 really caught our attention that we thought we should bring to yours:

Lifehacker (we love these guys) says that Zune HD makes a "fantastic portable media center." This is great news. With a Zune HD and the Zune HD AV dock, we could have something very special here.

Engadget tells us, however, that Zune 4.0 doesn't "play nice" with Windows Media Center recordings. Kinda sad, really.

Microsoft wants an ecosystem. Hopefully, one day, Zune will be (completely) part of it.

But, let's be honest, does this news get in the way of your purchasing of the Zune HD at all? Leave your comments below.

Want to really show your Zune Luv?

You can now "Zuneify" your Twitter avatar via this very simple web page.

You can see it in action at Jacket Black's Twitter Account

http://zune.m80im.com - Do It!

Go ahead, Zuneify yourself, then leave a comment below (via your Twitter login of course) and show off your Zune Luv!