Microsoft has confirmed plans to release second-generation Zunes for the holiday buying season, and will be delivering users a big present by adding podcast support to the device.

Here’s the text of Microsoft’s statement (via WhizByte):

“We have seen the rumors floating around, but we haven‚Äôt announced specific dates or details for the next generation of the Zune devices or service. That said, Zune follows the cycle of the consumer electronics cycle so you can expect an update later this year prior to the holiday season.

There are three predictable paths along which we’ll expand Zune:

• Device family ‚Äì adding in new sizes, styles and price points
• Features ‚Äì we‚Äôll move towards parity with iPod building in support for video, podcasting, etc and at the same time build on key differentiators such as the wireless feature, the FM tuner, etc
• Geographic Markets ‚Äì we‚Äôll start to expand the international footprint of Zune over time but only when we can ensure an offering which is tailored to that market

And one thing about Zune that’s really great for consumers is that the device is future-proofed. Consumers can buy without fear of their device becoming obsolete. Zune’s software (firmware) can be updated so their device gets automatically updated with new features when the new software is launched.”