Further msPod rumours emerge

MANY MORE facts and rumours are emerging concerning Microsoft's planned foray into Apple's ubiquitous iPod territory. After previously revealing the product's name as 'Zune', several websites are reporting that ZuneLive.com has been registered by a Microsoft employee who has previously registered other domains such as Live.com and MicrosoftGadgets.com.

Further more, >Digital Music News has revealed that the player will launch in November in the US and come with 30gb of storage with pricing similar to the 60gb iPod - approximately $399. Global launch dates are to be revealed, but suggest an early 2008 release.

The player will arrive in three different colours with a dual-tone effect on each, and a scroll wheel will sit beneath an oversize screen, and menu options will include "Music," "Video," "Pictures," "Community," "Extras," and "Settings". Certainly not dissimilar to the pictures that have surfaced on the net.

Interestingly the new player and its accompanying newly developed PC-based media player, will be "incompatible with other Windows Media services," forcing focus on one device, one jukebox and one music store, similar to the iPod/iTunes combination. Xbox connectivity is also perceived as a huge selling point, allowing Microsoft to further engage their gaming audience.

Sources stated that the volePod will include WiFi functionality but will impose various limitations on sharing. Sharing can only happen between a maximum of ten different people within WiFi range, and this 'sharing' only allows streaming content. Listened-to tracks can be bookmarked and later purchased when the device is synchronized with their PC.

Its interesting to note that wireless sync with the user's PC will allegedly not be available in the upcoming launch - very typical of Microsoft's release first, patch later, ideology. µ

See Also
Volish iPod plan draws mirth from Apple fans
Microsoft working on a portable XBox