Microsoft Corporate Vice President J Allard trash-talks the iPod as part of his press tour to officially announce the Zune.

“Ipod is the Pong of digital music,” said Allard. “Let’s take it to the next level. And connected is what its all about.”

Microsoft is positioning the Zune as the first step towards creating a platform that encompasses the same territory as Apple’s iPod/iTunes, but also expands upon it.

“With Zune, we are not simply delivering a portable device, we are introducing a new platform that helps bring artists closer to their audiences and helps people find new music and develop new social connections,” said J Allard, vice president, design and development, at Microsoft.