Red Zune 80 to hit retail

Microsoft Zune marketer Cesar Menendez today confirmed that the red Zune 80 will now be a regular option at retail. The color was previously available only in the special color first as a Valentine's Day special edition model but will now be a permanent fixture both at the Zune Originals website and at physical stores. The addition gives the second-generation hard drive Zune its first color choice at retail after coming only in black since its November launch.

The official price of the player is expected to remain the same $250 as for the black model and also doesn't add any additional features besides the new color. An exact street date is unavailable, though Menendez acknowledges that some stores are known to be receiving units early while others will receive the colorized Zune "soon."