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# Microsoft Confirms Zune Music Player & Store In ’06
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/microsoft_confi_1/
- Published: 2006-07-21T17:32:02.000Z
- Updated: 2006-07-21T17:32:02.000Z
- Description: UPDATED: In a Billboard interview released Friday followed by a statement from the company Microsoft has confirmed that under the Zune brand name they "will build a community for connecting. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2006/07/microsoft_confi_1.html]
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Uncategorized, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 11:10

**UPDATED:** 

In a [Billboard](http://www.billboard.biz/bb/biz/magazine/upfront/article%5Fdisplay.jsp?vnu%5Fcontent%5Fid=1002877378&ref=hypebot.com) interview released Friday followed by a statement from the company Microsoft has confirmed that under the Zune brand name they "will build a community for connecting with others to discover new music and entertainment and will deliver a family of hardware and software products – with the first products shipping in this year."

Zune will include both a player and a download store and be "one part MySpace, one part iTunes and one part Xbox Live".

[![Zune_logo_1](https://hypebot.typepad.com/hypebot/images/zune_logo_1.jpg "Zune_logo_1")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/zune%5Flogo%5F1.jpg?ref=hypebot.com)

"Today we confirmed a new music and entertainment project called Zune. Under the Zune brand, we will deliver a family of hardware and software products, the first of which will be available this year. We see a great opportunity to bring together technology and community to allow consumers to explore and discover music together." – Chris Stephenson, GM of marketing, Microsoft

Stephenson confirmed that the player will offer WiFi capabilities with sharing limited to ten users within a hotspot. Zune may also include wireless access to a paid content or a digital locker. The interview also reaffirmed that Zune will include a variable-priced digital music store (something the music industry has long wanted) and be backed by a massive marketing campaign. Stephenson also said that future Zune players will include more video and gaming features. MSN Music will not be integrated into the project leaving it a strange step-child in the Microsoft family.

[![Richard_winn_1](https://hypebot.typepad.com/hypebot/images/richard_winn_1.jpg "Richard_winn_1")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/richard%5Fwinn%5F1.jpg?ref=hypebot.com)

As part of Microsoft’s viral marketing campaign several blogs have been created including [Zune Insider](http://www.zuneinsider.com/?ref=hypebot.com) and [Madison and Pine](http://www.madisonandpine.com/?ref=hypebot.com) by Microsoft employees working on the Zune project.

[![Zune_wallpaper_2](https://hypebot.typepad.com/hypebot/images/zune_wallpaper_2.gif "Zune_wallpaper_2")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/zune%5Fwallpaper%5F2.gif?ref=hypebot.com)

Madison and Pine is written by Richard Winn who is head of Artist Development and Music Marketing for the project. So far neither site provides much Zune info. Another site [Coming Zune](http://comingzune.com/?ref=hypebot.com) offers an animated teaser for Zune followed by a place to sign-up for updates. A follow-up email offers Zune wallpaper.

Stayed Zuned…