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iPod Killer? Microsoft chooses its competitor

August 29, 2006 on 3:12 pm | In iPod Insurance |

iPod News: Microsoft Corp has announced that Japan-based Electronics major, Toshiba Corp, will manufacture the company s forthcoming “Zune” portable MP3 player, being hailed by many as the “iPod killer”.
A spokesperson for Microsoft said that a filing made by Toshiba with the Federal Communications Commission is for Zune, and that the device will sport a 3-inch liquid crystal display, 30GB hard-disk drive, and wireless connectivity, among other features. Zune is slated for release later this year.

A reference in the user manual section of Toshiba’s filing reveals that the upcoming device will allow users to send and receive photos, songs, and albums with a wireless connection; and that it will feature a FM radio tuner, as also allow users to stream music to up to four other devices.
With the growing buzz that Zune might just be Microsoft’s answer to Apple Computer s wildly popular iPod, it is still perceived an uphill task for the software giant to bridge the gap with respect to its competitor. What with the iPod reportedly holding sway over more than half the digital media player market world-wide, and iTunes fixedly maintaining crown position across-the-globe.

While the pricing of Zune has not been disclosed, it is learnt that Toshiba s existing 30GB hard-disk player, Gigabeat is available for a price of around $350.