Microsoft Zune was launched last year in North America and is expected to arrive during the second half of 2007 in Europe. The sales have been relatively pleasing for Microsoft as it has been able to establish itself, but on the other hand not been able to threaten Apple and iPod. To boost the sales even further Microsoft is thinking of selling Zune for almost nothing if the buyer is prepared to sign up for long contract. It will thus subsidize the player in the same way phone operators do with mobile phones. When, where and how this will be down remains to be seen though.
