Zune - a quick recap

There have been rumours for some time (that's not spelt wrong - we're English here!) about the Microsoft iPod killer, so let's have a recap of what we know so far:

First, we heard that Microsoft were shooting an advert, probably for use in focus groups, to see consumer reaction. Not in the shots that there are two units - one black one white.

Then there was some confirmation, saying that there would be a digital music player, and an iTunes like service to feed it with music.

Next the detail really starts to arrive, letting us know what we can look forward to: audio & video, screen bigger than an iPod video, built in Wi-Fi. Whether this WiFi will work with the Live Anywhere service that Xbox and Windows mobile owners will be using is unsure at the moment. This is all due for a November launch. Now that date sound slike another PS3 spoiler. Think of it: PS3 launchs - hot on it's heels: Xbox 360 HD-DVD player, and this cool audio player that can download tracks from your 360, online and what about Xbox Live Aracade games while we're there...? That would explain why the rumours of a handheld Xbox were doing the rounds a while back.

Oh yes, the Zune (which was called the Argo) supports the XNA toolkit, as used by Xbox developers, and which makes it easier to port games to different platforms...

Then yesterday, news starts flying. The first clear image appears. Looks interesting, although this is only one of a number of versions being tested - but it does match with the blurry shots from last month.

So. It's coming, and we have seen what it might look like. What do you think of it?