MS to unveil flash-based Zune before 2008

Microsoft's Chris Stephenson this weekend at the Midem music expo in Cannes revealed that the company will introduce its first flash-based Zune music player, directly challenging Apple's top-selling iPod nano. While no details of the player are available, the new Zune should ship in time for the holidays this year, according to Stephenson. The as-yet unnamed jukebox will likely closely resemble the Gigabeat P player, offering increased storage as well as a double-shot designer casing and the Zune's signature Wi-Fi sharing feature. Stephenson said Microsoft is also planning to expand its wireless functionality, expressing a desire to add Wi-Fi browsing and downloading through the Zune Marketplace that would allow owners to add new music to the Zune without first linking to a PC. The player will ideally include "filling stations" at existing Wi-Fi hotspots such as Starbucks, but the executive noted that Microsoft can't commit to a launch window for the feature.