Zune to tune into iPod's market

Technofile: A so-called "iPod killer" appears almost every week from MP3 player makers, but the phrase sounds more plausible when Microsoft plans the murder. Information about its "Zune" media player is beginning to appear online, writes Mike Butcher

Microsoft said it would take about five years of investment before the device starts to pay off and perhaps kill off Apple's hugely successful iPod. Of course, this assumes Apple can't come up with something at least as good in the meantime.

Most analysts think Microsoft will offer a subscription music service with the device and, to aid its chances, it is trying to woo manufacturers that are making iPod accessories.

Given that Zune will have Wi-Fi, Microsoft appears to be betting that the success of Xbox Live - which connects players with each other - will make Zune popular.

Services Microsoft has hinted at include the ability to share music and find out about bands. Users will also be able to download videos and perhaps even create and share videos, suggesting Zune may incorporate a camera. It will also come with preloaded content.

Rumours suggest Zune will launch in November or early next year.

• Sony has launched a DVD recorder with hard drive and digital terrestrial TV tuner. The RDR-HXD560 has an 80GB drive; RDR-HXD860 has 160GB. With it, you will be able to record a series of shows automatically. It is also ready for high-definition television.

• The IOPS F5 2GB media player packs a lot into a small package. It supports MP3, WMA, OGG music files, MPEG4 video playback and displays pictures.

• AOL is joining the flood of online video sites with AOL Video. It will have a hard time beating YouTube.com, but it hopes Time Warner TV shows will flesh out the content.