Microsoft is squaring up to take on the Apple iPod, with a second-generation raft of its 'Zune' MP3 players. Despite having sold just 1.2 million of the first-generation Zune – as opposed to the iPod's sales of 100 million since its launch six years ago – Microsoft is hoping it can make a bigger dent into the Apple-dominated digital portable market.
There are three new models: an 80GB hard-disk model, and two flash-based models that differ only in memory size – 4Gb and 8GB respectively. The new players have wi-fi as standard, so you can automatically transfer tunes, pictures and video from your computer without having to plug the device in.
Microsoft is backing up the launch of the new Zunes with a social networking site – dubbed Zune Social – that will allow users to share their music and comment on it.
While trying to dent Apple's dominance, Microsoft has also been learning some lessons from its rival: the new Zune features a familiar-looking circular touch-sensitive 'thumbwheel' similar to that sported by the iconic Apple player. If it ain't broke, as the saying goes...
