Zune Set to Launch (original article by Paul Thurrott, thurrott@windowsitpro.com)You might have seen the trying-hard-to-be-hip advertising by now: Microsoft is beginning the marketing death march for its Zune portable digital music player, hoping to convince consumers that there's a viable alternative to Apple's dominant iPod. If the early reviews are to be believed, however, Microsoft first-generation Zune isn't all that exciting. It looks like it's going to be a tough holiday season for the iP...

Microsoft & Peter Jackson Delay "Halo" Movie (original article by Paul Thurrott, thurrott@windowsitpro.com)On Halloween, Microsoft and award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson announced some horrifying news for video game fans: They're delaying the production of the long-awaited "Halo" movie until an unspecified time in the future. The movie was previously set for a summer 2008 release."At this time, Microsoft, Peter Jackson, and Fran Walsh have mutually agreed to postpone making a feature film ba...

Apple Ships iPods with Windows Virus (original article by Paul Thurrott)This week, Apple reported that a relatively small number of its iPod portable MP3 players shipped with a Windows virus. The virus--which affects the full-sized iPod with video--can infect Windows computers that the devices are connected to.Apple, naturally, took the opportunity to partially blame the problem on Microsoft. "We are upset at Windows for not being more hardy against such viruses, and even more upset with ours...