Here’s a bit of an insight on what Microsoft plans to do with the Zune. On the challenge of taking on the iPod: “As we’ve gone out and talked to consumers about Zune, we’ve asked them, ‘Do you feel you have choice in the space?’ and we get a resounding, ‘Yes, we have a lot of choice — you can get a Shuffle, a Nano, a video iPod.’ … Which just amplifies the challenge that we face.”

On what Microsoft thinks it can bring to the table: “[F]or us, it’s very much about taking the world we see today, adding a software layer, creating an environment of connection, and creating a layer of intelligence that allows for much richer consumer experiences. So Zune is just another example of that.”

On the Zune’s community elements: “My experience gets better because I have one, because you have one, because Joe has one. We can learn from each other. The device can learn from me, and it can learn from each of us. When we get specific on features and things that we’re doing, you’ll see a lot of emphasis on community, on a shared type of experience.”

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