The news filtered out after the Japanese group filed details of an "HDD Portable Audio Player" with the Federal Communications Conference (FCC) that looks exactly the same as the Zune device previously posted on numerous consumer electronics web sites.

Toshiba's filing indicates the "Toshiba 1089 PMP" will have a 30-gigabyte hard-disk drive, 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi connection, and an FM radio tuner. The user manual submitted to the FCC specifically mentions Zune, and also says the device would have a 3-inch TFT LCD display along with a USB 2.0 connection to synchronize with a PC.

The filing suggests the wireless connection will permit users to exchange photos, songs and entire albums with up to four other devices.

Regulatory filings, such as the one Toshiba made, are required before any device with wireless connections can be sold in the U.S.

Analysts expect Microsoft's Zune to compete directly with Apple's iPod, which dominates the music media market.

Microsoft has said little publicly about its plans, but did confirm that it plans to go head-to-head with Apple for a piece of the portable music device market, but doesn't expect its first entry to be an overnight sensation in the field

By: DocMemory
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