Now that Apple’s locked in its plans for the latest iPods, Microsoft has made its countermove by offering up details on the company’s Zune player. First the bad news: There’s no precise launch date or price yet, although Microsoft does say it’ll be available “this holiday season.” It’ll have a 3-inch screen and a 30-GB hard disk, and will come in white, black, and brown — coincidentally much like Sony’s new Vaio N Series. Setting itself apart from Apple’s line, the Zune will feature built-in Wi-Fi, allowing people to wirelessly share songs and videos… theoretically. The press release says you’ll be able to share full-length “sam ple tracks” of “select” songs as well as homemade recordings and pictures. Sounds like there’ll be some pretty serious copy protection.
Microsoft will also debut its own version of the iTunes music store, called the Zune Marketplace. It’s unclear is you’ll be able to download tracks straight to your Zune just like the MusicGremlin, but it would totally suck if you couldn’t. The player will also come with some content from various music labels. And taking a cue from the exploding iPod-accessories market, Microsoft will offer optional packages for connecting the Zune to your car stereo and home system, plus a travel pack that includes “premium” earphones and a carrying bag. Is all this Microsoft goodness enough to give the iPod a run for its money? Kinda depends on how much it costs, but even though we’re excited about the Wi-Fi, there’s a good chance it won’t be as cool as it sounds.
Source: SciFi Tech
With drive space only half of what the new ipods will be, I wonder if it will even make the 800 lb gorilla blink, let alone flinch.
Note that Zune is incompatible with the previous MS music store. It doesn’t play PlaysforSure files either.
Zune is probably not made for everyone but there is a real market out there beyond the iPoders and MS is going after them