Microsoft has officially announced tomorrow as the release date for its updated line of Zune portable media players. The new Zunes promise higher capacities, useful wireless capabilities and support for podcasts. Updated Zune software will also be available, bringing new capabilities to the first-generation Zune players.

Microsoft is also offering customization options for the new Zunes (Zune Originals),including a variety of artwork that can be etched on players’ backs.

Zune Specifications

Three new Zune models will be on store shelves tomorrow:

• the black Zune 80GB, which has a bright 3.2-inch screen and comes with premium in-ear noise-isolating headphones (ERP $249.99);
• the ultra-portable Zune 4GB (ERP $149.99); and
• the Zune 8GB (ERP $199.99), both available in pink, green, black and red.

The new Zune models also feature the new Zune Pad, aka the squircle, a touch-sensitive navigation button that lets people navigate through menus or lists with the flick of their thumb, or click to easily change songs or adjust the volume. Every Zune player includes wireless sync and wireless sharing, a built-in FM tuner, and a bright color screen to display music, pictures, videos and podcasts. Existing Zune owners will receive all new software features via a free and easy upgrade, available Nov 13.

The updated design of the new Zune players is complemented by new software and a facelift for the Zune Marketplace.

Zune Features

• Wireless sync. Users can set their Zune to automatically sync to their PC via a home wireless network whenever it’s placed in its dock or plugged in to charge, making it easy to keep the Zune updated with the latest music or podcasts. Consumers can also manually start a wireless sync from their device as soon as they are within range of their wireless network.
• Wireless sharing. Share select music, pictures and audio podcasts with other Zune devices nearby. Users can listen to any received song up to three times and even pass it along to other friends with a Zune.
• Redesigned Zune software. Easily drag and drop music, videos and photos to simple icons to sync content to a Zune, create playlists or burn CDs. A new search feature gives users one master view across music, videos and podcasts. Search for an artist to find all relevant content, what’s already in a consumer’s collection and what’s available in Zune Marketplace.
• Zune Social. Consumers can find music they like by seeing what other like-minded individuals are listening to. People can create customizable Zune Cards, which update automatically based on the music they listen to on their Zune and via the Zune software on their PC. See what friends are listening to, play samples of music directly from others‚ Zune Cards, send song recommendations or browse artist pages. When consumers find something they like, they can link directly to Zune Marketplace to buy it.
• Updated Zune Marketplace. Users can choose from over 3 million songs and a broad collection of albums, music videos, podcasts, and digital rights management (DRM)-free MP3s to download and sync to a Zune.
• Zune Pass. For about the price of one CD per month ($14.99 per month), users can get flat-rate access to millions of available songs. They also have the option to buy songs, albums and music videos individually.
• Recorded television content to go. The Zune software will now import broadcast content recorded on Microsoft Windows Media Center for Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate, so consumers can sync it to their Zune.
• FM tuner. Consumers can tune into their favorite FM radio stations on the go. Zune will display the name of the song and the artist, using Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS) information from stations that broadcast it.