Microsoft Zune: brown and beautiful (but how much?)

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) today unveiled its Zune digital media player, with no details as to launch date or pricing (my guess: one pack will be $149, another will be $249, and still another will bump up against $400). Immediately my reaction was: brown?!?

Yep, not only is Microsoft filling the "white" and "black" market segments, just like iPod and about every other digital music player manufacturer out there, but the company has decided to enter the little-trafficked "brown" category. I never thought I'd say this (I never even knew it might be something I could say), but: I want a brown Zune! It's almost genius in its geekiness.

Microsoft announced that the Zune would be pre-loaded with music from labels like EMI Music's Astralwerks Records and Virgin Records, Quango Music Group, and V2/Artemis Records, and laid out a detailed description of the "Packs" which would be available (Car, Home A/V, and Travel). Microsoft will surely be rushing to get the player in stores by November for holiday shopping.

And make sure you pack Portland stores with lots of brown, Mr. Ballmer! [Update: Engadget has all the technogeek specs for those of you who like that sort of thing.]