Zune is compatible with Vista, says Microsoft

Microsoft has dismissed reports that its just-launched Zune digital media player is not compatible with the forthcoming Windows Vista operating system.

Microsoft's Zune website currently only lists Windows XP with Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 with Update Rollup 2 installed as the operating systems that Zune currently supports.

But for Windows Vista the website says: "Windows Vista is not supported at this time. Check back soon for updates." The retail versions of Vista are due to launch in January 2007.

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An article on the AppleInsider website also shows a screenshot of an error message saying "This operating system is currently not supported by Zune" when trying to install Zune software on the not-yet-quite-final version of Vista.

But a Microsoft spokesman assured silicon.com that Zune will indeed support Vista once the operating system officially hits the shelves.

He said: "Zune will support all versions of Vista when they become available."

Zune officially launched in the US this week, and while Microsoft has no official plans for any international versions a European edition is expected late next year.

A recent survey claimed half of iPod owners will ditch their Apple devices for a Zune when they next buy an MP3 player.