Confirming weeks of rumours, Microsoft said it will launch a new music and entertainment player and accompanying software under the Zune brand this year, in an attempt to go after Apple Computer's iTunes and the iPod, according to media reports Monday.

"Under the Zune brand, we will deliver a family of hardware and software products, the first of which will be available this year," said Chris Stephenson, general manager of marketing for Microsoft, in a prepared statement.

The initial device will have wi-fi and use a hard drive to store music.

Stephenson said: "We see a great opportunity to bring together technology and community to allow consumers to explore and discover music together."

Microsoft did not give out any further details, but confirmed that the first products will begin shipping by the end of 2006.

Stephenson told Billboard magazine that other Zune devices, including a video player, are in the works.

Zune-branded devices are apparently only one part of Microsoft's strategy, though, with Stephenson telling the magazine Microsoft's broader vision is to allow people to play and discover music from a variety of devices including computers, phones and the Xbox 360.

Apple representative declined to comment on Microsoft's announcement.

Apple has maintained a dominant share of both the music player and downloadable music businesses, selling more than 58 million iPods and more than a billion songs.

Source: Xinhua/agencies