Checkout CNETS somewhat lengthy review of Microsofts new upcoming Media Player the Zune.

Here’s an update on the Microsoft Zune ecosystem, which was officially launched this morning: The 30GB Zune (designed by Microsoft, manufactured by Toshiba) will use ad-hoc Wi-Fi for local communication with other Zune users. So you can share, but not online (as you could with the MusicGremlin). Also, this means you cannot connect to the Zune Marketplace from the device itself.

Exclusive CNET review of Microsoft Zune

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Last week Microsoft unveiled details of it’s iPod competitor, Zune. If you’re a reader of music blogs it would have been hard to miss the announcement as Stereogum, Coolfer, My Old Kentucky Blog, 3hive and Music for Robots all gave the product in-depth editorial coverage on their blogs.

That’s largely because Microsoft flew them, all expenses paid, to Microsoft HQ in Seattle to have an exclusive look at the Zune and be briefed on it by Microsoft staff.

It was a press junket in the traditional sense, where journalists are wined and dined by a company, in return for coverage in the media. Coverage that is unavoidably tainted by the circumstances in which it was gathered.

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If you look on the product page of the Zune on Amazon, under “Technical Details” it says “Automatically imports your existing music, pictures and videos from iTunes and Windows Media Player in a variety of formats”. Is this is sign that Zune market place will automatically download your songs in iTunes, or something more?

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Blogger has the first link to all Microsoft Zune models that are available for preorder. Price tag: $249.99 for any of the three known color-models.

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About $.99 more than Apple Computer’s latest 30GB iPod: We’re not going to be profitable this holiday but the Zune project is a multiyear strategy. Coinciding with Zune’s launch will be the debut of Zune Marketplace (an expected rival to Apple’s iTunes) & and Zune Pass subscription that will give consumers access to “millions” of song files.

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Microsoft hopes the player’s features such as the ability to share music over wi-fi will be its unique selling point. Jupiter research had shown that only about 11% of consumers are interested in sharing music device-to-device.

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“The Zune is incompatible with both iTunes and every single WMA-based service on the planet. What the heck are these people thinking? Zune isn’t superior: it’s bulkier and uglier with a fake click wheel and Zune’s features just aren’t compelling enough.” This turd won’t float!

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Microsoft’s 30-gigabyte Zune will retail for $249.99 — 99 cents higher than the iPod with the same amount of storage — when it goes on sale November 14. Songs available for download at the Zune Marketplace service will cost about 99 cents a song, on par with prices at Apple’s iTunes, Microsoft said.

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Microsoft Corp. said on Thursday its new Zune music player will be sold at a price matching Apple Computer Inc.’s market-leading iPod and, as a result, lose money this holiday season. Microsoft’s 30-gigabyte Zune will retail for $249.99 — 99 cents higher than the iPod with the same amount of storage — when it goes on sale November 14.

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Engadget’s hooking up a few very lucky people with a Zune. If your dying to get one before everyone else then here is your chance.

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