The iPod is so iyesterday. At least that's what the folks at Microsoft want you to believe.

In its first foray into the digital audio player market, Microsoft is hoping the Zune will provide stiff competition to Apple's ubiquitous iPod. The Zune is a 30-gigabyte audio and video player that can store up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures, or 100 hours of video. The Zune, which costs around $250, also has a larger screen than any of the iPods.

In the computer world, Microsoft and Apple have warred for decades. With the introduction of the Zune, the portable-music genre is the new battleground.

The best feature of the Microsoft Zune is the ability to share songs and send them wirelessly to other Zune users, said Shawny Chen, a digital audio analyst for Current Analysis, a research firm. Apple iPods don't have this feature, called Zune-to-Zune Wi-Fi communication.

"As far as the best, closest alternative to an iPod, the Zune is it," Chen said. Another plus, she said, is the ability to access the Zune Marketplace, an online music store that offers unlimited downloads for $14.99 a month. The Zune can also connect to the XBOX 360 video game console and stream music, videos, and pictures via a USB connection.

But the Zune has limitations, Chen said. The shared music files can be played only a maximum of three times and expire after three days. You also can't resend songs. She also had a problem with the device's touch-sensitive wheel.

"You definitely have to press down a little harder on the keys," she said.

"It's not as easy to navigate and it takes a little more effort to master the controls."

FIVE TIPS ON HOW TO USE THE ZUNE:

1. Access the Zune Marketplace. The $14.99 "Zune Pass" means unlimited downloads of more than 2 million songs. To find songs, launch Zune software and click Marketplace in the Navigation window on the left. You can narrow your search by clicking on categories such as charts or album or type a word or phrase into the Search box at the top of the screen and push enter. Click the download button.

2. Copy your files to Zune.

After installing Zune software on your computer, the program will automatically search your folders for compatible media files. The folders will automatically copy to the Zune. First you must attach one end of the sync cable to the Zune and the other to the USB port on your computer.

3. Watch Zune videos and view photos on the TV.

First connect the red, yellow and white cables of the Zune A/V Output Cable (sold separately for around $20) to your TV. Then connect the other end, the minijack A/V connector, to the headphone jack on your Zune. You must select "TV out" under the Zune's display settings before viewing.

4. Share audio with other Zune users.

To use the Zune-to-Zune feature, select Music and press OK from the home screen. Select the audio file you want to send and press OK twice. Select send, press OK and choose which Zune you want to send the file to and press OK.

5. Listen to radio on Zune.

From the home screen, select the radio option and use the control pad to scroll through stations.