The extraordinary interest in and attraction to Microsoft's iPod-esque Zune player, which was just officially announced a couple weeks ago, has surprised even me. It seems like it'll surely be on the Christmas list of tons of people.

We already knew the a pre-holiday release was expected, but now, according to "tipsters" for Gizmodo, the launch week has been revealed -- the week before Thanksgiving. No further details than that. So Microsoft could pull a Nintendo and release it on Sunday (November 12) or they could release it on the new-release staple day Tuesday (the 14th). Who knows? But if this is true, your Zune could be just a couple months away. Also, speculation has rumored that, in addition to the confirmed 30 GB Zune, there may be a 60 GB version as well, much like the tiered selection of iPods. Another fresh rumor talks about VOIP functionality to be available in the Microsoft Zune players (more on that on VOIP Low Down). The strangest rumor about the new Zune is to be found on Stuff Magazine. They say that Zune will not be a PlaysForSure device, rendering your DRM-ed WMA files useless. Honestly I cannot believe that.

Finally, there will reportedly be a ton of accessories available at launch (but of course you all saw that coming a mile away, right?)

Via Gizmodo

Report Published by: Mark Raby