Microsoft files with FCC for wireless device, Zune iPhone?

Microsoft submitted a filing to the FCC for a prototype of a wireless device that could be used to talk over the Internet (VoIP), which would make it an Internet Phone, or I-Phone. The filing is similar to the one Apple filed ahead of its iPhone unveiling, except Microsoft is not going the cellular route with what many believe to be its Zune phone. Microsoft chose OFDM technology, which Sprint and privately-held Clearwire have tested and deployed. Microsoft claims the device will be used for "consumer broadband access and networking." Sufficiently vague.

The announcement makes the iPhone saga that much weirder. Here's a potential music phone (Zune-phone), which everyone expected to weakly compete with Apple's iPhone. Unexpectedly, Microsoft goes the VoIP route. Meanwhile, Apple is fighting Cisco's trademark of "IPhone" by arguing that a VoIP phone and a cellular phone are effectively different things. A VoIP-enabled Zune certainly won't drum up the fanfare Apple has with its iPhone, but it just might give Apple's trademark lawyers a headache.

Zune™ is almost here

Zune.net went live today. Check it out to learn more.

Plus, Coming Zune is evolving into Zune Arts. Go see it at www.zune-arts.net. It's a place for creative expression around the idea of sharing from some of today's most progressive artists, animators and designers. Play around. The gallery is constantly growing.

Come back to Zune.net on November 10 for some exciting information about our launch plans.

Urge to Zune as iTunes to iPod

Download the latest copy of Windows Media Player 11 and you will see an online store called Urge.

Given the level of integration the Zune has with Windows Media Player it will probably copy the hugely successful iTunes.com music store model. Urge has more than two million songs available for download.

Although the technical specifications haven't yet been released, Microsoft has confirmed that the Zune will come with inbuilt wireless networking, allowing you to update your music over a wireless network. None of the rival players yet have this function.