Microsoft enhances Zune, new 8 GB version

Responding to criticism that its original line of Zune music players — available only in black, brown or white — failed to inspire consumers, Microsoft plans to launch on Tuesday a new line if Zunes in a range of colors and bedecked with tattoos, custom engravings, and other artwork.Microsoft will also introduce a $249 Zune with an 80-Gbyte hard drive capable of storing 20,000 songs, 25,000 pictures, and 250 hours of video. Additionally, two flash memory-based Zunes — an 8-Gbyte model and a 4-Gbyte model — will go on sale Tuesday.


The launch comes one year, less a day, after the original Zune player hit stores on November 14, 2006. Customers who purchase one of the new Zunes through Microsoft’s Zune Originals Website can choose designs from 18 “internationally recognized” artists along with up to three lines of laser-engraved custom text, according to Microsoft. The new Zunes feature redesigned software that Microsoft claims makes it easier to drag and drop content from a Windows desktop to a connected Zune player. A new search feature gives users a master view across all of their digital files, including songs, videos, and podcasts.