A story by TWICE suggests that Microsoft's attempt to unseat iPod could be in US shops this autumn:
Microsoft is in the process of unveiling to select retailers the first of its line of Zune wearable digital audio players and informed retailers it will offer a single unit this fall, available in three colors at a suggested retail price of $299.
Retailers who have been briefed by Microsoft told TWICE the player will offer Wi-Fi capability, but will require that the portable be connected to a PC for the actual purchase of songs. Retailers, who claimed Microsoft remained "fuzzy" on the Zune's wireless capability, said only that Zune will allow users to bookmark songs that may be shared via Wi-Fi, but that users cannot purchase songs on the go from the Microsoft Zune Web site.
Price is interesting - $299 translates directly to £156, but would probably iron out at around £180 in the shops over in Blighty. That would undercut a comparable iPod by around £40. The limited version of wireless connectivity could be an attempt to limit power consumption - something noted out by Charles in his column this week - but all this talk of "fuzzy" details sounds pretty fuzzy full stop.
People I've spoken to at Microsoft have privately balked at the idea of the player hitting the UK market before next year. Perhaps plans in the US are more developed. But it certainly seems odd to me that Redmond has been able to keep anything secret enough that details only begin to emerge a couple of months before it hits the market... it's just not their style.
Still, judging by past performances from Apple, they'll be loading their guns for a new iPod release in the middle of September. It'd be fun to see the two go head to head.
