The new Zune, Microsoft’s answer to the Apple iPod, is slimmer, stronger and more intuitive than its first-generation version. Hitting shelves this week, the second-generation Zune (starting at $149 and going up to $249 for the 80-gigabyte hard drive version) offers a number of new features, including a podcast category. (story continues below video)
Watch the .TXT exclusive video here produced by Doug Dobbins after visiting the Microsoft Zune product launch in Redmond.

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For many music fans, the new Zune compares well with the iPod by having podcasting features and a larger screen in the 80-gigabyte model.

Care to weigh in the new Zune vs. iPod battle? Just add comments here and watch as we post followups on how the Zune is being received by users.

Editor's note: Doug Dobbins, a Spokane technology consultant and writer, worked at Microsoft from 1994 to 2004.

I want a zune sticker!!!!

Caleb. please send me mail at doug.txt@gmail.com. I have a few Zune stickers to give away.