[lschul]

I just heard today that MS is going to release a rival to the Ipod. Anyone heard much about it? Sounds like it works on its own version of itunes, does that mean it won't work with windows media player?

[coolbob]

The Zune is coming out November 14th with a $249.99 price tag for 30 gb of storage. You can pay an optional $14.99 monthly subscription dubbed the Zune pass that gives you access to "millions of songs". You can also buy individual tracks for 79 microsoft points.

Link to press release with more information including how much the accessories will cost.

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/p...abilityPR.mspx

[lschul]

Thanks, I want to know more about where you get songs - can you use windows media player or is it going to be proprietary like itunes?

[coolbob]

You can use itunes or windows media player. The following paragraph is from the zune fact sheet.

Import your music. Zune software can automatically import your existing music, pictures and videos from iTunes and Windows Media® Player in a variety of formats, including your existing playlists and song ratings. Some content is protected by the service from which you purchased it, and those files cannot be imported.

And at the bottom of the page it says this.

Zune software can import audio files in unprotected WMA, MP3, AAC; photos in JPEG; and videos in WMV, MPEG-4, H.264

Hope that helps.