Microsoft has confirmed the existence of a new Microsoft portable music player and an integrated service called Zune. It is scheduled for launch some time this year and directly compete with Apple’s iPod and iTunes service.

Chris Stephenson, Microsoft’s new GM of marketing for MSN Entertainment Business, said Zune will be an umbrella brand: “a family of hardware and software products” aimed at digital entertainment.

There’s not much more information then this at the moment but, the company has set up a site to collect emails for further information at ComingZune.com.

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