More Zune 2 Details Surface Ahead of Launch

UPDATE: As expected, Microsoft has made the official announcement regarding the new Zunes

Although the news won't officially hit until midnight tonight, further details of the Zune players have leaked ahead of Microsoft's secret Tuesday night event for press and bloggers.

Sources have confirmed to BetaNews, as well as additional information from Zune news site Zunerama indicates that there will be two new Zune models, including a new 80GB HDD-based player, along with 4GB and 8GB flash based versions.

Every Zune will include the Wi-Fi wireless functionality that is central to the platform's allure, and would allow customers to sync and share content over the air. An FM tuner will be included as well.

Also for the first time, the Zune will be nearly equal to the iPod and iTunes in terms of content capabilities, with the software allowing for the organizing of music videos, pictures, and podcasts. Still missing is television shows and movies, sources say.

However, the second generation Zune will allow for those with Windows Media Center to transfer recorded content to the device for portable viewing, the source said.

The Zune Marketplace will receive a redesign as part of the launch, with 3 million tracks available. Possibly the most important announcement of all is up to a third of these tracks will also be available in MP3 format without copyright restrictions, which means they can be playable on any device including the iPod.

Clarifying last night's story and reports from other organizations following BetaNews' initial report last night, the actual launch event is being held Tuesday evening Pacific time. However, the actual public announcement is embargoed until Wednesday morning at midnight Eastern time.

BetaNews will continue to update this story as more details become available.