After years of competing with the iPod through partnerships, Microsoft today confirmed plans to go after Apple with a rival product, the Zune. Microsoft said on the same day that it plans to launch a Zune-branded music software and player, confirming rumors in recent weeks. Chris Stephenson, Microsoft's general manager of marketing, said: "Today we are confirming our new music and entertainment initiative called Zune. We plan to release a range of hardware and software products under the Zune brand, which will be available this year. We will look for the best time and combine technology with community so users can find and discover music together." However, a Microsoft representative declined to comment on whether the product has Wi-Fi capability or not, and declined to provide further details. Cesar Menendez, who recently began working on the project, said, "Zune is an overall new strategy for Microsoft's Music and entertainment program, and as part of that, we will introduce new products this year. "We want to build a community under the Zune brand that aims to connect people to find and discover music and entertainment." ...
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