Microsoft Zune : Will it get here before Christmas?

Branded as the "iPod killer", much of the portable digital music world is watchfully anticipating the release of the new Microsoft Zune MP3 Player hitting the U.S. on the 14th of November. The initial bruising on the wallet will be around AU$350.

The sad thing is, I haven't heard of when it will be in Australia, although there's talk that it will appear on European shelves early December. This would make a neat Christmas present for music lovers, me included.

Let's break down what makes the Zune so special.

Microsoft Zune Uppers on the Apple iPod:
- WiFi Capability: share music wirelessly with fellow Zunians
- 3" Colour LCD QVGA screen: it's bigger
- Built-in FM Radio: when you get bored with your own music files
- WMA, MP3, AAC, JPEG,WMV, MPEG-4, H.264 media playback

Microaft Zune Specifications:
- WMA, MP3, AAC, JPEG,WMV, MPEG-4, H.264 media playback
- Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) connectivity
- 30 GB Hard Drive
- 3 inch video LCD 320x240
- White, Black, and Brown Colors
- FM Radio
- TV output connectivity 640x480
- Dedicated song download site (Zune Marketplace)
- Podcast playback
- Updateable Firmware
- Tested 14 hr battery life for audio, 4 hr video
- 3 day playback of Wi-Fi transfered songs from friends
- XBOX streaming
- XBOX (Microsoft) points compatability
- Preloaded music videos
- Over a dozen accessories at launch
- 5.6 ounces in weight, 4.4 x 2.4 x 0.58 inches size
- Metric: 158 g, 112 x 61 x 14.7 mm size
- Custom background images
- WiFi transfer of photographs
- Tag based storage system (Will not appear as drive)
- PC Compatability (no Mac client at launch)
- Zune tag enabled
- Horizontal and vertical video orientation

We'll keep you posted on the Zune accessories in the upcoming weeks.