Microsoft’s Zune is In The House

The much hyped (or is it the opposite?) Zune has finally been unveiled, with pictures (yep, iPoddish, but then the iPod was Creative-ish anyway) and full tech. specs. of the first device available everywhere. 30GB hard disk, FM tuner, 3-inch screen, video playback and… wait for it… wireless connectivity via 802.11b/g. Amazing, or plain overkill?

Well, I’ve to admit I’m still divided on that, but then so is the interweb - with a reader poll running on GigaOm on the issue. Anyway, the main reason for my lack of exuberance over the wireless connectivity is its sheer power sucking nature. First and foremost, I’d want my MP3 player to last enough hours to survive a normal day at least. Wireless comes second. Period. (But then, my stance on this could be influenced by my ownership of a PDA - which already has wireless connectivity and has relatively lousy battery life.)

And if you thought that was all Microsoft had up their sleves, you are sorely mistaken. The Powers That Be at Redmond have decided to make Zune Web 2.0 via a social sharing system. Apparently, you’ll be able to share the songs on your Zune with another Zune via wireless - though the transferred media is valid for only 3 plays or 3 days, whichever comes first. An irritating restriction, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the first hack that comes out for Zune addresses it.

Pricing hasn’t been revealed yet, and the only date that has been revealed is “this holiday season”.

Update: Apparently, the Zune is “big and clunky”, and is “a little heavy” too. A big turn off for me, even though this isn’t surprising given its feature set.