ZUNEWhat we know (for sure)Zune is the name of the project, the brand, and the device.The first Zune device will be launched this year, with more devicesto come in 2007.The Zune brand encompasses not only the device, but the softwarethat will drive it, as well as a music, movie, and media service theZune device family will use for acquiring, sharing, and discovery ofsaid media. Music will be the first angle of service that islaunched, "connected entertainment" being the ultimate goal.The Zune media service will heavily leverage community aspects andrecommendation; emphasis is being placed on using Zune to discovernew artists, media, etc.The Zune media device will be drive-based, and have WiFi.The Zune brand is intended to be an entirely vertically integratedend-to-end solution, not unlike the iPod / iTunes / iTunes MusicStore triumvirate.The service and device will not be PlaysForSure compliant, meaningyou will not be able to use your Zune player with Napster or Vongo,for example. This will be an entirely new system. Microsoft willcontinue to support and develop for their PlaysForSure initiative,but all things PlaysForSure are handled by two entirely separatedivision that will not have any crossover.Zune is under Microsoft's new Entertainment & Devices Division, andis headed by, among others, Robbie Bach, J Allard (Corporate VicePresident and Chief XNA Architect), and Bryan Lee (Corporate VicePresident and CFO, Entertainment and Devices Division), whichaccounts for the division of this project from the rest ofMicrosoft, similar to how the Xbox project was also strictlyseparated.The logo we had is, of course, real.Microsoft's launched the Zune viral marketing site, ComingZune.com[Thanks, bv] What we think we know (and are pretty sure of)They'll be showing off the device by the end of next month, and willaim for a November release.Microsoft will buy your way out of iTunes in order to convert you toa Zune user.The Zune will come in multiple colors.Pyxis is the codename for their nano competitor which would alsoinclude video capabilities; Alexandria is the codename for thesoftware that powers the Zune experience.A Microsoft portable gaming system is in the works, and will be apart of the Zune family. This device should have Xbox Live Anywhereintegration. This may or may not be an Xbox co-branded portable, butis probably going to be the portable gaming / media device we'vebeen hearing about for years.Microsoft's ad campaign will include a Super Bowl commercial.The Zune will have a bevy of accessories at launch; it'll probablybe cheaper for accessory makers to develop for the Zune port thanpay the Made For iPod tax.What we don't yet know?Whether the Zune media service will offer the same kind of all-you-can-eat subscription media services as PlaysForSure media serviceslike Napster and Vongo. Supposedly subscription will be offered, butdownplayed in favor of song purchase (which is the opposite of mostPlaysForSure services).Whether you'll actually only be limited to sharing with up to 10people nearby, as rumored, and that they won't get the protectedfiles, but will "bookmark" them for later purchase.Exact device specifications for the first Zune device, as well asits price (though we hear it could be as much as $399).Whether it'll include XM and/or Sirius service as rumored (we doubtit). Let the analysis begin!

by Gurjeet Ghotra

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