Zune player: real-world photo, new details

Every image so far of the Zune player has been a formal shot of the prototype; there has been little to suggest that Microsoft would keep the design or showcase the more practical features. Today, however, a photo appeared online showing the Zune in real-world circumstances. Though still labeled as a prototype, the Zune in the photo is largely unchanged from the publically sanctioned version seen earlier in the summer. The new photo also provides interesting new information about the player and its included earbuds. Microsoft is clearly prepared to offer the Zune in colors other than white, as previously confirmed, though the pictured example was given a dark color in an attempt to identify the sources of any leaks. The earbuds, in turn, are clearly meant to improve on the iPod's design by including magnets that keep the buds together while wrapping the cord. Click through to see the full photo.