Zune to debut today?

Not to be outdone by Apple's big ipod announcement, Microsoft is reportedly getting ready to take the wraps off Zune, its own music player and service.

Microsoft has let slip a few details about the device, which is rumored to be unveiled today in New York. According to FCC filings, will be manufactured by Toshiba and will come with tools to create mobile social networks and stream music to nearby users.

Microsoft has no shortage of cash dedicated to catching Apple in the online music business. "We think of this in the hundreds of millions of dollars of investment" over several years, Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft, told financial analysts in July. "It is something that is going to take time. This is not a six-month initiative."

But will that be enough to take on Steve Jobs and company? Time will tell, but most bloggers aren't optimistic.

Blog community response:

"Is the Zune going to be successful if it replaces the iPod as the most sold music player? Or just if it turns a tidy profit for Microsoft, despite only being second or third place?"
--Gizmodo

"Do I think it will challenge the iPod? Not likely, but Microsoft did jump into the video game business when nobody gave them a chance against Sony, and they've done pretty well there, so perhaps they've got a little more magic up their sleeve."
--The J. Botter Blog

"It needs to disrupt the market to attract consumer interest. An incrementally better product than an iPod won't be sufficient to gain customer interest. An incrementally inferior product or a me-too with no new game-changing attribute could be a disaster."
--Urlocker On Disruption