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| Source: Reuters |
Come next week, owners of Microsoft’s portable music player Zune will be able to download music wirelessly and tag and buy songs they hear on the device’s built-in FM radio, Microsoft said on Monday.
The software company is introducing a host of new features on Sept. 16 for the Zune, its answer to Apple’s iPod digital music player, which dominates the market and has sold more than 100 million units since its 2001 launch.
Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) will also introduce Zunes with storage capacities of 16 gigabytes and 120 gigabytes, with two new color schemes — blue on silver and black on black.
The news comes one day ahead of an Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) event, where the maker of the Mac, iPod and iPhone is expected to roll out a new iPod Nano and may give an update on iPhone sales.
The new Zune feature, called “Buy from FM,” lets customers tag and purchase songs they hear on FM radio stations using the FM tuner and the device’s wireless capability.
The 16-gigabyte Zune will be priced at $199 and the 120-gigabyte Zune has a price tag of $249.99. Microsoft already sells Zunes in 4GB, 8GB and 80GB sizes.