Listen up folks - the Zune details are IN! Microsoft has formally announced the Zune brand and provided tons of details about the new media player.

Microsoft defines Zune as being designed around the following principles:

  • Sharing
  • Discovery
  • Community

According to Microsoft, Zune will allow people to find new ways to connect and share entertainment experiences - whether it’s connecting to your media library, with your friends, or with other devices.

So let’s get to the details shall we? Here’s what Microsoft’s announced about their new player:

  • 30GB storage capacity (yes we knew that one already)
  • Zune Marketplace music service
  • Supports wireless technology
  • Built in FM Tuner (yes the iPod has yet to have this one)
  • Bright 3 inch screen
  • The display is fully customizable - you can place pictures or define themes for your display that make your player unique

As reported earlier, the Microsoft Zune supports wireless connectivity which will allow multiple Zune players to communicate to one another. What for? Consumers can now share full length tracks of select songs, home recordings, playlists or pictures with others who have Zune devices. There are some limitations though - you can listen to any full track of any song up to three times over three days. Don’t have your songs on repeat!

In addition to the Zune player, Microsoft will be launching the Zune Marketplace where you can purchase music that you don’t have on hand. The Zune player will also feature several music tracks and videos right out of the box including content from:

  • DTS
  • EMI Music’s Astralwerks Records and Virgin Records
  • Ninja Tune
  • Playlouderecordings
  • Quango Music Group
  • Sub Pop Records
  • V2/Artemis Records.

Ok.. enough about the Zune player itself - Microsoft also announced three accessory packs that will come with the Zune. These are:

  • The Zune Car Pack - everything you need to make the Zune feel right at home in the car
    • Comes with built-in FM tuner with AutoSeek and the Zune Car Charger.
  • The Zune Home A/V Pack - everything you need to integrate the Zune into your home A/V environment
    • Comes with Zune AV Output Cable, Zune Dock, Zune Sync Cable, Zune AC Adapter and the Zune Wireless Remote for Zune Dock.
  • The Zune Travel Pack - everything you need for the Zune when you’re out and about travelling.
    • Comes with Zune Premium Earphones, Zune Dual Connect Remote, Zune Gear Bag, Zune Sync Cable and the Zune AC Adapter.

Finally - based on the press release pictures, the Zune Player will come in several colors when it launches. I must admit - I like the color selections thus far - they’re not bright at all but are actually more subdued in nature.

[Check it out]

 


Microsoft’s Zune Delivers Connected Music and Entertainment Experience

Built-in wireless technology lets consumers share experiences device to device.

 

REDMOND, Wash. — Sept. 14, 2006 — Marking the next big milestone for its Connected Entertainment vision, Microsoft Corp. today unveiled details of the first products to be released under its Zune™ brand. Designed around the principles of sharing, discovery and community, Zune will create new ways for consumers to connect and share entertainment experiences. The Zune experience centers around connection — connection to your library, connection to friends, connection to community and connection to other devices.

“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.”

The Zune Experience

Available this holiday season in the United States, Zune 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. The Zune device features wireless technology, a built-in FM tuner and a bright, 3-inch screen that allows users to not only show off music, pictures and video, but also to customize the experience with personal pictures or themes to truly make the device their own. Zune comes in three colors: black, brown and white.

Every Zune device creates an opportunity for connection. Wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing lets consumers spontaneously share full-length sample tracks of select songs, homemade recordings, playlists or pictures with friends between Zune devices. Listen to the full track of any song you receive up to three times over three days. If you like a song you hear and want to buy it, you can flag it right on your device and easily purchase it from the Zune Marketplace.

Zune makes it easy to find music you love — whether it’s songs in your existing library or new music from the Zune Marketplace. Easily import your existing music, pictures and videos in many popular formats and browse millions of songs on Zune Marketplace, where you can choose to purchase tracks individually or to buy a Zune Pass subscription to download as many songs as you want for a flat fee.

To get started with great music and videos out of the box, every 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.

Zune Accessories

To enhance the Zune experience, three accessory packs help Zune users enjoy their music where they want to, at home or on the road. The packs and the individual accessories, all designed exclusively for Zune, will be available at launch:

•

The Zune Car Pack includes everything needed to hit the road with a Zune device, such as the built-in FM tuner with AutoSeek and the Zune Car Charger.

•

The Zune Home A/V Pack enhances your experience in the home through five products that integrate Zune with the TV and music speakers: Zune AV Output Cable, Zune Dock, Zune Sync Cable, Zune AC Adapter and the Zune Wireless Remote for Zune Dock.

•

Zune Travel Pack is a set of five products designed to keep friends and family entertained on the road: Zune Premium Earphones, Zune Dual Connect Remote, Zune Gear Bag, Zune Sync Cable and the Zune AC Adapter.

Providing consumers with additional options to customize and personalize their Zune experience, Microsoft is also working with leading accessory manufacturers Altec Lansing, Belkin Corp., Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO), Dual Electronics, Griffin Technology, Harman Kardon and JBL, Integrated Mobile Electronics, Jamo International, Klipsch Audio Technologies, Logitech, Monster Cable Products Inc., Speck, Targus Group International Inc. and VAF Research

The Future is Bright

In addition to the features available at launch, built-in wireless technology and powerful software provide a strong foundation to continue to build new shared experiences around music and video. As Zune evolves, the device can be easily updated. The Zune software on your PC will let you know when these updates are available for download.

About 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 information can be found online at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/zune.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft® Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.

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