Report: First Xbox-Themed Portable Named 'Zune'?

Further information regarding the rumored Xbox line of portable entertainment devices has emerged online, with technology site Engadget detailing a new possible name for the device, the Zune, and giving further hints as to the project's video game compatibility. Although the range has still not been officially announced by Microsoft, a number of news sources, including the Seattle Times, have recently reported that the company plans a range of devices, all apparently featuring the Xbox brand. The first of these will allegedly be unveiled this year, with the announcement of a keynote speech from Bill Gates at January’s CES event being speculated as a likely venue for further revelations. New today, though, is a report from tech site Engadget, which claims that the first device will be monikered Zune, and even features an allegedly authentic logo for the device. According to the story, the recently revealed codename of Argo refers to the portable project in its entirety, and is not likely to be used in public. According to Engadget, the Zune will be focused on music playback, and so will be positioned more as a rival to Apple’s iPod than to Sony’s PSP or the Nintendo DS. The Zune is also reported to use wireless song transfer and will physically resemble the iPod in size and design. As a Microsoft product, it will naturally use the PlaysForSure certification, meaning that it will work with Windows and Microsoft’s branded Digital Rights Management. Although it is likely to play some simple casual games, the implication is that this will not be the primary focus of the Zune, with subsequent devices in the range being left to focus on video games. It is unclear when Microsoft will officially announce any of this putative line of products, however.