Microsoft just announced the details about the Zune player.

“The digital music entertainment revolution is just beginning,” said J Allard, vice president, design and development, at Microsoft, who is leading the charge for building the family of Zune products. “With Zune, we are not simply delivering a portable device, we are introducing a new platform that helps bring artists closer to their audiences and helps people find new music and develop new social connections.”

No surprises about the Toshiba made first Zune player. It comes with a 30GB HDD, 3 inch screen, and FM tuner.

Yes the Zune supports wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing. You can share full-length sample tracks of select songs, homemade recordings, playlists or pictures with friends between Zune devices.
BUT, You can listen to the full-length songs that you receive up to three times in three days. You cna flag the ones you like and easily buy them the next time you sync up. Microsoft's very creative DRM solution. Not sure if I like it.
Every Microsoft Zune device is preloaded with content from record labels such as DTS, EMI Music’s Astralwerks Records and Virgin Records, Ninja Tune, Playlouderecordings, Quango Music Group, Sub Pop Records, and V2/Artemis Records.
New songs can be purchased on the Zune marketplace.
MS offers three accessory packs: Zune Car Pack, Zune Home A/V Pack and Zune Travel Pack.

Zune comes this holiday season in three colors: white, black and brown. Microsoft does not reveal pricing yet.

The Definition of Zune:
Zune is Microsoft’s music and entertainment platform that provides an end-to-end solution for Connected Entertainment. The Zune experience includes a 30GB digital media player, the Zune Marketplace music service, and a foundation for an online community that will enable music fans to discover new music. Inspired by the vast and varied community of music fans, Zune focuses on helping emerging artists shape the digital canvas. Zune is part of Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices division and supports the company’s software-based services vision to help drive innovation in the digital entertainment space.

More details in this Microsoft press-release.
Also the Micrsoft viral site comingzune got updated with a new crazy animation featuring the burning of a bird.