The Wall Street Journal is reporting this morning that Microsoft submitted a filing to the Federal Communications Commission. The filing suggests that the company might add some version of phone service to its ‘hand-held media players’ known as the Zune.

Microsoft will submit a prototype to the agency. The Zune already has WiFi capability and a new Phone + Zune combo Ph + une = Phune could provide a device to compete on some levels with the iPhone. It might also be an opening salvo in Microsoft’s never ending race to continually play catch up with other companies that have tested the waters first.

The filing indicates that the new device will utilize OFDM, which is a routing technology capable of moving TV and voice calls between devices. Maybe Zune will abandon the Phune concept all together and focus on the potential to virally transmit Microsoft Soapbox videos on its Zune.

That would at least spare everyone another silly sounding gadget name.

Technorati tags: Zune, Microsoft, Microsoft Phune, fcc, bad gadget names like Zune iPhone and Phune

Depending on your perspective you may be chagrined to learn that the latest version of Apple iTunes 7.02 does not function with Microsoft’s new Vista OS.  Apple is recommending that iTune users should not upgrade to Vista yet.

The first question is just who is incompatible with whom?

Is the new iTunes incompatible with Vista?

or

Is the new Vista incompatible with iTunes?

The answer to that question probably depends on your perspective and priorities in life.  If iTunes is more important then the second and if not then the first.

The second question though could be more interesting.  Is this some type of anti-trust move by Microsoft to block out iTunes from its market dominating Operating System base.  This would then allow Vista to potentially make way for more Microsoft OS users and fewer Mac users, while simultaneously opening the door a crack for Zune?

or

Is this some type of anti-trust move by Apple to block out Vista from its market dominating iPod user base?  Could they be opening the door to convert more people away from Microsoft’s Operating system and over to Apple’s OS and machines.  Will Apple make iTunes compatible with Vista prior to the release of Apple’s new Operating System expected this summer?

Prediction

Both companies are playing a game of chess against each other and the answers to all of the questions above would be the same, Yes!

Technorati tags: Microsoft v Apple, Microsoft, Apple, iTunes, Vista, Zune, Antitrust