Microsoft Announces Zune 2

Microsoft has announced that it will be launching a new range of Zune digital music players in November. The updated MP3 players will have storage capacities of 4GB, 8GB, 80GB and will be priced as follows:

• $149 (4GB)
• $199 (8GB)
• $249 (80GB)

The 4GB and 8GB flash based Zune players will be available in red, black, green and pink while the hard drive based 80GB version will come in black only.

The new Zune’s will sport wireless sync which enables you to synchronize your player using a Wi-Fi network. Existing users will be able to download firmware in November that will upgrade their Zune players to Wi-Fi. Microsoft have made the new players 27% smaller while increasing the screen size to 3.2 inches. Another significant change is with the controller button, instead of a circle, it is now a touch-sensitive squircle, named 'the Zune pad'.

Read more on portable music players by consulting the essential guide to budget players for $200 or less.