Flash-based Zunes get cheaper

Microsoft's Zune 3.0 lineup, which was launched only two months ago, has received a price cut this week, knocking the 4 GB model below $100 for the holidays.

The still-new flash-based Zune 3.0 line was officially released on September 16, debuting the media player's fresh "Buy from FM" feature and wireless connectivity to Zune Marketplace. The launch was at about the same time the iPod refresh, which has become September protocol for Apple.

Similarly, last year's Zune price reduction also coincided with the iPod update, and at the time was remarked as a normal part of the product cycle. Though this reduction in Zune prices may be a bit early in the product's life cycle, it will nonetheless serve to attract consumers the device, which Microsoft has historically touted as having extremely high user satisfaction.

The reductions drive the flash-based Zune 4 GB down to $99.99, 8 GB to $139.99, and the 16 GB to $179.99. The HDD-based Zune 80 and Zune 120 retain their original $229 and $249 price tags.