Microsoft launches the Zune

Just like we had posted, Microsoft has launched Zune. Touted to be the next iPod killer (How many have we had already?), it did get more hype than the rest of the “iPod killers” simply because it was a Microsoft product. Would it stand a chance? We wouldn’t know until the market got to know it better.

Speculation aside, we did check out the press-release material, and it did seem to look like a helluva good personal media player. We already know the specs of the Zune, but for those who missed the hype, here are they again:

• Wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing– Zune lets you spontaneously share selected full-length sample tracks of your favorite songs, homemade recordings, playlists or pictures with friends wirelessly, device to device. You can listen to any song you receive up to three times in three days. And if you like a song you hear and want to buy it, you can flag it right on your device to easily find it later.
• Your own personalized Zune– Zune is easy to use and easy to love. You can choose one of three base colors, each combined with a distinctive double-shot finish created by the overlay of one color on another. The player also can easily be customized with your favorite pictures.
• Large color screen– Zune comes with a bright 3-inch LCD video screen that works in portrait or landscape mode. Your music, video and pictures never looked better.
• 30GB player– Zune stores up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures or 100 hours of video. You can make playlists on the go and watch a slide show while you’re listening. Watching video in landscape mode gets the most out of the vivid display.
• Zune Pass– Downloads or a subscription? It’s your choice. A Zune Pass subscription gives you “all you can eat” access to discover and explore the Zune Marketplace.
• Built-in FM tuner– With the built-in FM tuner you can listen to local FM radio stations or tune in to programming while you’re at your local health club, for example. Advanced tuning capabilities allow you to see the name of the song currently playing on selected frequencies.

The full details about Zune awaits after the jump!

Just like we had posted, Microsoft has launched Zune. Touted to be the next iPod killer (How many have we had already?), it did get more hype than the rest of the “iPod killers” simply because it was a Microsoft product. Would it stand a chance? We wouldn’t know until the market got to know it better.

Speculation aside, we did check out the press-release material, and it did seem to look like a helluva good personal media player. We already know the specs of the Zune, but for those who missed the hype, here are they again:

• Wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing– Zune lets you spontaneously share selected full-length sample tracks of your favorite songs, homemade recordings, playlists or pictures with friends wirelessly, device to device. You can listen to any song you receive up to three times in three days. And if you like a song you hear and want to buy it, you can flag it right on your device to easily find it later.
• Your own personalized Zune– Zune is easy to use and easy to love. You can choose one of three base colors, each combined with a distinctive double-shot finish created by the overlay of one color on another. The player also can easily be customized with your favorite pictures.
• Large color screen– Zune comes with a bright 3-inch LCD video screen that works in portrait or landscape mode. Your music, video and pictures never looked better.
• 30GB player– Zune stores up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures or 100 hours of video. You can make playlists on the go and watch a slide show while youÂ’re listening. Watching video in landscape mode gets the most out of the vivid display.
• Zune Pass– Downloads or a subscription? ItÂ’s your choice. A Zune Pass subscription gives you “all you can eat” access to discover and explore the Zune Marketplace.
• Built-in FM tuner– With the built-in FM tuner you can listen to local FM radio stations or tune in to programming while youÂ’re at your local health club, for example. Advanced tuning capabilities allow you to see the name of the song currently playing on selected frequencies.

Also, every Zune device is preloaded with content from record labels such as DTS, EMI MusicÂ’s Astralwerks Records and Virgin Records, Ninja Tune, Playlouderecordings, Quango Music Group, Sub Pop Records, and V2/Artemis Records.

As expected, Microsoft will be selling songs for the Zune through the Zune Marketplace. And what’s more, you can actually use Microsoft Points (also used in XBOX Live!) to buy songs. That’s one point to Microsoft. You can also import all your music from iTunes (unprotected only) and Windows Media Player to play on your Zune. The list of supported media is a bit short right now, but expect it to get a bit longer. The different media formats supported currently are h.264, MP3, AAC and WMA.

You can also buy accessories to spruce up your Zune experience. Three Zune Accessory Packs provide complete solutions for Zune in your car, in your home or while you travel. Individual accessories are also available.

• 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.

Now the important question for us is “is it worth it?”. Well, let’s just say that we were checking out the market for a media player, and this thing has us darn interested. The GUI looks great, and so does the thing itself. The other thing, like we said, is the ability to use Microsoft points to buy music. The presence of WiFi is always welcome, and so is the integration with other Microsoft devices and software.

Sadly, the only thing missing now is the price. We’ll have to wait for a bit more for it. Don’t worry though, we’ll be there to cover every bit of it.