Microsoft’s (News - Alert) music and entertainment brand, Zune has released its free software update that offers new powerful and entertaining features to every Zune portable media player.

 

The Zune platform includes a line of portable digital media players, elegant software, the Zune Marketplace online store, the Zune Social online music community created to help people discover music, and the ZuneOriginals.net online media player customization store.

 

The new software update which was announced last week will allow Zune users to wirelessly stream and download music from the Zune Marketplace store while on move; tag (News - Alert) and purchase songs directly from the built-in FM radio; and tap into new, personalized music recommendations and programming.

 

Zune is also collaborating with Wayport Inc, a high-speed Internet access provider, to deliver Zune users free, wireless access to the Zune Marketplace store from more than 9,800 participating McDonald’s restaurants across the U.S.

 

 “Our ability to enable and manage applications and devices over converged networks creates exciting new opportunities for our clients to attract new customers whose digital lifestyle extends beyond their home and office,” said Dan Lowden, vice president of business development and marketing for Wayport.

 

The enhanced software features the online store, Zune Originals offering 14 eye-catching new designs along with exclusive color combinations which lets consumers customize their Zune player with laser-engraved art and personal text.

 

Zune Marketplace will now offer more than 4 million songs, 80 percent of which are available as digital rights management (DRM)-free MP3s; 8,500 music videos; 3,000 episodes of popular TV shows; and more than 6,000 audio and video podcasts.