Microsoft and EMI deal to put videos on Zune

Stan Beer
Saturday, 19 August 2006 05:23

Your IT - Home IT

Microsoft has signed an agreement with global music giant EMI to put music videos on the software company's soon to be launched portable music player Zune. According to a report from Reuters, EMI may well offer similar video deals elsewhere.

True to its abilities as a supreme marketing company, Microsoft has managed to keep Zune in the limelight in the lead up to its release before the end of 2006 through a combination of promotion and strategically placed leaks.

More details of the much talked about iPod rival were leaked on the internet yesterday concerning the navigation system, the screen of the device and the inclusion of an FM radio receiver.

Aside from FM radio, Zune's much touted edge over iPod is its Wi-Fi capability. However, it remains to be seen whether intending iPod users will be swayed by the additional features of Zune.

Another huge problem for Microsoft is the huge installed base of tens of millions of iTunes and iPod users who are effectively locked into their music playing systems by Apple's DRM which will not allow iTunes music to be played on the Zune music player.