We've got some juicy breaking details this morning about Microsoft's iPod competitor. The device had been referred to with a couple different names, but we now know that the official name is supposedly going to be the Zune.

Update 07/22/06:
Microsoft Confirms Zune, More Details Revealed!

The picture shown is reportedly the final design for Microsoft's flagship MP3 device, obviously going for the non-busy look like the iPod. There had also been speculation of Xbox tie-ins to add game functions to the device, but it seems those rumors have been squashed. In fact, MS has been trying to keep the entire project under-wraps and denying a lot of the info that seems to circulate about it.
Anyway, assuming the picture is the real deal, it looks like the vertical screen certainly will be big enough to show you all the info that you need, like album cover pictures. The unit will come in a white color and possibly a black version as well.

The Zune is assumedly going to be ready for the holidays this year, though we don't know for sure what kind of price range Microsoft is thinking. It'll be interesting if Microsoft can give Apple the licking that they've most likely been wanting to do for years.

Photo of the Microsoft Zune player shown, has first appeared on Engadget. Via Gizmodo

Report Published by: Mark Raby