Microsoft music player to take on Apple's iPod
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Microsoft Corp.  said on Friday  it plans to release a new music and entertainment player and  accompanying software under the "Zune" brand this year, in a  belated attempt to challenge the dominance of Apple Computer  Inc.'s  iPod player.
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Microsoft says it is on track to sell its millionth Zune music player, the software company's would-be challenger to Apple's enormously popular iPod.
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Although Apple's combo of iTunes and iPod has proved popular, Microsoft is betting that people want to do more with their music and that they want to be able to move video and pictures around as well.
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Microsoft raises the curtain on its challenge to the iPod, the Zune digital media player.
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&quot;Compared to iTunes, Microsoft&#39;s music store currently offers only half the songs and is missing many features, but its biggest problem may be that its downloaded songs do not play on iPod, iPod
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Microsoft makes its long-anticipated entry into the online music market today, marking the first serious challenge to Apple Computer's popular iTunes service.
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Microsoft announces release date and price, which means Zune will compete directly with Apple's 30GB iPod. Photos: Microsoft presses play on Zune
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Want to corrupt your iPod? Use it with Microsoft's new operating system. Apple concedes that its music software still isn't compatible with all versions of Vista. By the Associated Press.
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An anonymous reader writes &quot;Paul Thorrott reviews Windows Media Player 10 and notes that unlike Apple&#39;s iTunes Music Store, which offers music that is only compatible with Apple&#39;s iPod portable player, WMP 10 will work with songs from virtually any other
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(InfoWorld) - The first Microsoft Corp. Zune products will hit U.S. retailers in time for the busy Christmas holiday season, with a 30G-byte digital media player and a Zune Marketplace online service the first to reach consumers, Microsoft said Thursday. The details of what Microsoft is offering with its Zune product line -- which will compete with Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod device and iTunes software and service -- sound similar to what Apple already offers, with a couple of exceptions. In addition to allowing users to play music, videos and photos on a screen, the Zune player will include wireless technology and a built-in FM radio tuner. So far, iPods lack either radio tuners or built-in wireless technology. Zune's wireless technology will allow users to share songs, playlists and photos between Zune devices, Microsoft said. A user can listen to any song they receive up to three times over three days, after which they must purchase it from the Zune Marketplace if they wish to continue listening. The Zune Marketplace, like iTunes, allows users to purchase media and manage their own media libraries. Users can purchase music tracks individually or buy what is called a "Zune Pass," a subscription service allowing users to download as many songs as they want for a monthly fee. The Zune device will come in three colors -- black, brown and white. In addition to viewing media on the 3-inch screen, users also can customize the screen with personal photos or themes, Microsoft said. In another deviation from Apple's plan, Zune devices will come preloaded with content from record labels. Labels that are teaming with Microsoft to provide music for the players include TS, EMI Musicâs Astralwerks Records and Virgin Records, Ninja Tune, Playlouderecordings, Quango Music Group, Sub Pop Records and V2/Artemis Records. After months of speculation, Microsoft confirmed in July that it was developing a music player and service to rival Apple's iPod and iTunes. If other attempts to unseat the iPod are any indication, Microsoft will have a tough road ahead. Recently, Dell Inc.Â stopped selling its DJ Ditty music player on its Web site and ended development of its own line of music players. Still, iPod market share has fallen in the past year, leaving room for rivals in the market. At one point the music player had more than 80 percent market share by analysts estimates, but the latest reports give the iPod a little over 70 percent market share. In addition to the devices and the online service, Microsoft also will offer three Zune accessory backs that will be sold separately and will be available at the same time as the Zune devices. The Zune Car Pack includes a built-in FM tuner with AutoSeek and the Zune Car Charger. The Zune Home A/V Pack includes five products that integrate Zune with a television and music speakers: Zune AV Output Cable, Zune Dock, Zune Sync Cable, Zune AC Adapter and the Zune Wireless Remote for Zune Dock. And the Zune Travel Pack offers five products for traveling with the Zune device: Zune Premium Earphones, Zune Dual Connect Remote, Zune Gear Bag, Zune Sync Cable and the Zune AC Adapter. Like Apple, Microsoft also is working with accessory manufacturers to provide more add-on products for Zune devices. Among the companies with whom Microsoft is teaming are Altec Lansing, Belkin, Digital Lifestyle Outfitters, Dual Electronics, Griffin Technology, Harman Kardon and JBL, Integrated Mobile Electronics, Jamo International, Klipsch Audio Technologies, Logitech, Monster Cable Products, Speck, Targus Group International and VAF Research.ADVERTISEMENTMAKE SOA REAL WITH IBM WEBSPHERE PODCASTStreamline processes and maximize efficiency within a proven service oriented architecture. Take back control of your business processes with IBM WebSphere.
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Microsoft Corp.  may have  an opening with its recently launched Zune digital music player  to gain market share against the iPod, as a Reuters survey  showed that among consumers expressing interest in the Zune 35  percent of them were upgrading from an existing player.
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Microsoft says Japanese firm Toshiba will make its Zune portable music player, due out later this year.
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Microsoft is looking to take a bite out of Apple&#39;s lion&#39;s share of the digital-music marketplace with three new products that promise to do whatever Apple&#39;s iTunes and iPod can do, and more.
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Microsoft plans to release its Zune music player on Nov. 14 in the U.S., just ahead of the holiday gift-buying rush.
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Following the success of Apple's iTunes Music Store, Microsoft worked quickly to catch online music's rising star. After many months of development MSN Music, Windows Media Player 10, and Portable Media Centers have been formally launched.
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Software giant Microsoft unveils a music-downloading service to rival Apple's iTunes and other providers.
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Microsoft Corp. is offering a &quot;preview release&quot; of MSN Music, its answer to Apple&#39;s popular iTunes Music Store. The music download service is available in the United States exclusively for users of the Windows