Struggling to keep up with iPod and Apple, Microsoft on Thursday announced the release and cost of its Zune digital media player and online music store, Zune Marketplace.

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SEATTLE — Microsoft Corp.'s Zune music player looks a lot like an iPod, acts a lot like an iPod and will cost about the same as an iPod. The software giant said Thursday that it will charge $249.99 for the device, signaling that it isn't planning to spark a major price war to gain market share.

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Microsoft has said its new Zune music player will be sold at a price matching Apple's market-leading iPod and, as a result, lose money this Christmas.

[News Source]

SEATTLE -- Microsoft Corp.'s Zune music player looks a lot like an iPod, acts a lot like an iPod and will cost about the same as an iPod.

[News Source]

SEATTLE -- Microsoft Corp.'s Zune music player looks a lot like an iPod, acts a lot like an iPod and will cost about the same as an iPod. The software giant said Thursday that it will charge $249.99 for the device, signaling that it isn't planning to spark a major price war to gain market share.

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The gadget obsessed mouth-breathers over at Gizmodo point out that Microsoft's answer to the iPod, the Zune, will let you buy your music wirelessly with Microsoft points, that's right the stuff you're using now to buy games on Live.

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Microsoft announced the pricing for the Zune Player yesterday. Amazon.com opened pre-order on the Microsoft Zune Players today for $249.99. To be one of the first to own a Zune player, Amazon.com is a convenient way to achieve that. The Zune player ships on November 14th.

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BoredStiff writes "Computerworld has an article examining Microsoft's plans to launch a competitor to the Apple iPod, the wireless media player called Zune. The article lists five reasons why Apple may fear the Zune, and why it won't be as easily smacked down as the dozens of mp3 players before it have been. The Zune isn't just a music player, the article argues. Think of it as a portable,

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In one version of a Sept. 28 story about Microsoft Corp.'s new Zune music player, The Associated Press, relying on information provided by Microsoft, reported erroneously that the Zune will come equipped with an FM transmitter. Microsoft now says that it provided incorrect information, and that the player will come equipped with an FM tuner. -

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While many pundits don't expect Microsoft to make much of a dent in Apple's share of the MP3 player market -- rather, the company is expected to cannibalize sales of other competitors -- Computerworld's Mike Elgan believes that the Zune "scares Apple to the core."

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