Microsoft goes public with Zune

http://news.com.com/Microsofts+Zune+to+rival+Apples+iPod/2100-1041_3-6097196.html?tag=nefd.top 

After trying for years to compete with the iPod through an array of partners, Microsoft confirmed Friday that it plans to directly go after Apple Computer with its own rival, Zune.

Confirming weeks of rumors, Microsoft said it will launch music software and players under the Zune brand, though the software maker left plenty unsaid in its confirmation.

"Today we confirmed a new music and entertainment project called Zune," Chris Stephenson, a general manager of marketing for the software maker, said in a statement. "Under the Zune brand, we will deliver a family of hardware and software products, the first of which will be available this year."

Zune blog: http://zuneinsider.typepad.com/blog/2006/07/allow_me_to_rei.html