A story in the New York Times had the blogosphere up in arms, but Microsoft indicates we shouldn't believe it. The Times said that Microsoft is working to implement an anti-piracy filter into its Zune media players, which would prevent playback of unauthorized videos.

On Tuesday Microsoft released a new version of Zune software, but that hardly scratches the surface of what really occurred. In the process, Microsoft added a lot of content and features that moved Zune Marketplace a lot further in the direction of the iTunes store - though not quite all the way.

Responding to consumer excitement for the Zune 80GB, Microsoft Corp. is making the popular wireless digital media player available in red with Zune Originals, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

When Jeff Turton was growing up in Columbus, Ohio, during the 1960s and 1970s, he could never get his fill of music. He would spend hours each day “just twisting the dial” on his transistor radio in search of new artists and new styles of music. In school, his circle of friends evolved along with his musical tastes.

For the first time, consumers also will have the option to customize their Zune player with laser-engraved designs and personal text through a new Web store called Zune Originals.

Microsoft Corp. today announced the retail availability of new accessories for its innovative digital media player, Zune. The new first- and third-party accessories will usher in the next generation of Zune digital media players, which will be on shelves Nov. 13.

Today Microsoft Corp.’s Zune® team announced that a Zune music player produced in collaboration with Latin Grammy-nominated artists Wisin y Yandel, Machete Music and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will go on sale exclusively at Wal-Mart retailers Oct. 29 for $199 (ERP).

Microsoft unveils Zune Social, new Zune devices, innovative Zune software and redesigned Zune Marketplace — all geared toward discovering and sharing new music.

Microsoft sold one million Zune MP3 players in nine months. They expected to reach this result at the end of June, but they are faster than they expected.