Zune is a new mp3 player being launched by Microsoft. The release has been confirmed on 14 Novermber 2006. Zune will be coming with added features and new models later in 2007. Zune will be priced at $229.99. The 30 GB Zune will have following features:

 

Can play WMA, MP3, AAC, JPEG,WMV, MPEG-4, H.264 media

Big 3 inch video LCD 320×240

Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) connectivity with other Zune players.

FM Radio Tuner

3 Colors: White, Black, Brown

Can Output to TV

DJ Mode

Podcast playback

Free 3 day playback of songs send to you by friends bought at Zune market place

Can connect to XBOX for streaming

Zune will come preloaded with 9 audio tracks, 12 music videos, 3 films and quite some images, for example, 12 classic rock posters from Art of Modern Rock.

Quite light weight, 5.6 ounces in weight

  

Microsoft Zune will have around 12 hours of music playback (at 128Kbps) or 3.5 hours of video playback. There is a confusion in the minds of people about Zune limitations of sharing music tracks for 3 days or 3 times. “Zune allows you to listen to the song your friend sent you 3 times in 3 days. Then you have to buy the song”. This only applies to tracks downloaded from Zune marketplace. You can keep the songs downloaded from other websites or sources forever on your Zune and listen to it forever.

There are also some accessories which will be sold at:

Car Pack: $79
Travel Pack: $99
Home Pack: $99

Zune marketplace will offer two services:

Subscription Service: $15/month
Single purchase: variable rates.

Zune marketplace subscription of $15 will enable the subscribers access to the whole store.