In fact, there is a complete social philosophy underlining the product. And, simultaneously with Microsoft's Zune hitting the shelves on November 14, the Redmond Company revealed that the portable media player is designed to be the medium of shared, social experience.

Present at Zune's launch festivities in Seattle, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates commented: "This is what we call connected entertainment. Zune is a big investment for us and it's a vision that will carry us forward for years."

"Music comes from social places," explained Matt Jubelirer, Zune product manager. "But over the years, it started to become an isolated experience - people would listen with their headphones but not talk to the people around them. We wanted to add the social back into entertainment."

With Zune, the Redmond Company aims to welcome customers to the Microsoft shared, connected and social experience. The $249.99 black, white and brown Zune with 30GB of storage space can hold 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures or 100 hours of video. The device features wireless sharing capabilities, a 3-inch (7.6 centimeter) LCD screen, a FM radio tuner and an adjacent music service Zune Marketplace, with over 2 million songs.

Moreover, Microsoft claims that Zune is future proofed, being just the tip of the iceberg of a multi-year experience. "Future proofing ensures that the devices we sell tomorrow are prepared for the scenarios of the future," Jubelirer said. "A person should be able to buy a device tomorrow, and with wireless technology, improve on that device through software in the future. We've made the investments in the device that we needed to make - so people can be prepared for what's ahead. Without that, if there were a new scenario in the future, you'd have to buy a new device to get it."