Microsoft has decided to battle the portable digital music powerhouse, Apple’s iPod, and the contender’s name is Zune.

      The device, which is expected to be ready for the holiday season, focuses on what Microsoft feels the music-listening public wants the most: to be able to share music with others more freely.

      The method they chose to execute this plan is by including Wi-Fi units in each device that allow users to share their music with other nearby Zune users.

      The Zune comes in three colors, black, brown and white, and features a 3-inch screen and a 30GB hard drive.

      The iPod, which has sold over 60 million iPods in five years, has a decidedly strong command of this market. Clearly, if the Zune is serious about competing with the iPod, it has to offer something that the iPod does not. But this is no easy task since Apple is constantly making upgrades to their cash cow.

      Apple unveiled a new 30GB video iPod, for example, and while it lacks the wireless capabilities, or even a larger screen, it still offers a brighter screen, a longer battery life and a lower price tag [$249] than its predecessor. There were rumors floating around last month that Microsoft was hoping to charge $299. Microsoft still has not revealed their price tag, but plans to make an announcement in the coming weeks.

      Scott Erickson, Microsoft's senior director of product management for Zune, said his device is different from the iPod because it offers an alternative to the typical solitary music-listening experience.

      Of course, there are various parameters that Zune users must follow to prevent rampant abuse of music copyright issues. Users can send full-length tracks of select songs, homemade recordings or photos to other Zune players via the device's Wi-Fi. The shared songs can be heard up to three times over three days. Should a user like a song a friend has shared, the song can be flagged and later can be purchased from the Zune Marketplace. Not every song will be available to swap, however, Erickson said. Artists can opt out, but fans will have access to the vast majority of titles, he added.

      "We want to build community around new bands, new artists," Erickson said. "Today you really can't do that. What we're offering is connection."

      The Zune’s major flaw is its lack of video capabilities. This is clearly a new and growing interest among portable media players. Interestingly enough, Apple just introduced plans to make movies available for purchase through their iTunes store. Movies from four studios, owned by Disney, are now available the same day they are available on DVD from the latest version of iTunes, version 7.

      Microsoft recognizes the video trend but wanted to stay focused on music for the launch of the first device. "That's what the vast majority of people are doing online right now. Video is still really early," Erickson said.

      Microsoft has said it will spend hundreds of millions of dollars on the Zune effort, but said it still expects it to take several years to make significant headway against Apple. In the meantime, Zune's software can automatically import music, pictures and videos from iTunes and Windows Media Player; however, the device does not—as some had speculated—handle songs purchased from iTunes, according to Microsoft.

      The Zune will work in conjunction with a subscription music service that offers customers all the music they want for a flat fee. And although Zune is a Microsoft-designed product, the company confirmed last month that Toshiba will be making it.

      For more information about the Zune, go to Microsoft.com. Stay tuned for an official release date and eventually a price tag.

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      Ben Allen is a producer/engineer based in Atlanta, Ga. He started in the music industry with P. Diddy's Bad Boy Records before moving back to Atlanta to work on independent projects. His production credits include songs for Gnarls Barkley, Christina Aguilera, and most recently the "Snakes on Planes" soundtrack.