You get a sticker with your Zune

I don't usually jump on the 'Microsoft copies Apple' bandwagon since that copying goes both ways, but the with the Zune it is pretty clear what is going on. First, Microsoft abandons the 'Plays For Sure' strategy for a closed system (what happened to Microsoft's constant refrain of, 'People want choice, and you can't get that with a closed system'). Then they introduce the Zune, a player that has a music store that sells tracks which will only play on the Zune.

As if that wasn't enough, Microsoft has taken yet another page from Apple's iPod playbook. Check out Engadget's Zune unboxing video and right near the end you'll see that Microsoft is including a Zune sticker with each player (seen to the right). Hmm, where have I seen this before? Oh, that's right, Apple has been doing this for years with almost all of their hardware (including iPods, even the iPod shuffle).

I doubt we'll be seeing these Zune stickers on cars all over the place.