AMY GILROY in Redmond, Washington says "Microsoft is in the process of unveiling to select retailers the first of its line of Zune wearable digital audio players and informed retailers it will offer a single unit this fall, available in three colors at a suggested retail price of $299."

That’s of course not confirmed but seems to fall in line with what is being said by others. According to the article. Retailers who have been briefed by Microsoft said the player will offer Wi-Fi capability, but will require that the portable be connected to a PC for the actual purchase of songs. Retailers, who claimed Microsoft remained “fuzzy” on the Zune’s wireless capability, said only that Zune will allow users to bookmark songs that may be shared via Wi-Fi, but that users cannot purchase songs on the go from the Microsoft Zune Web site.

We’re sure that the first versions will be limited in features. It’s easier to get things right the first time if it has less to do. The capabilities to purchase songs from a Wi Fi device through the Microsoft Zune Live Music Store will be a great feature in some future version. The strength in the iPod is its simplicity and by not cramming to much into the Zune now Microsoft leaves way for future versions and also waits for technology to catch up so that improvements can be made in the hardware.

One drawback to the Zune seems to be a limitation in the hard drive space. With the availability of larger hard drives on the market we are stumped as to why Micr soft has chosen a 30GB hardrive but according to the report that is the case. Both retailers interviewed for the article said the player would incorporate a 30GB hard drive and one said the unit’s display screen would be larger than Apple’s iPod models. The retailers were pleased with Microsoft’s feature-per-price package.

Contrary to published reports according to one retailer Microsoft plans to continue to support its PlaysForSure licensees, even while it launches its own media Web site and sells its own digital media player, effectively competing with these same licensees. Not unlike them to do that but still a hard pill to swallow from these licensees. Well see how that works out after the Zune release date.

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