New Microsoft MP3 player targets Apple's iPod

AFP, July, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) — Microsoft confirmed rumors it planned to launch an "iPod killer," saying its challenge to Apple Computer's dominant MP3 player would hit the market this year.

Zune, Microsoft's new "music and entertainment project", is aimed at taking market share away from the massively successful and overwhelmingly dominant iPod MP3 digital music player, according to the software giant's marketing manager Chris Stephenson.

"Under the Zune brand we will deliver a family of hardware and software products, the first of which will be available this year," Stephenson said in a statement.

"We see a great opportunity to bring together technology and community to allow customers to explore and discover music together."

Microsoft planned to go head-to-head with Apple's iPod player and iTunes online music store, most likely in time for the Christmas shopping season, said Jupiter Research vice president Michael Gartenberg, who was briefed on Zune. ...