Lots of Zune coverage out there today with the launch of the Microsoft music player set for tomorrow. We took a look at the unusual choice of brown as a color for the player.

The technical details about the player are out there, and it's easy to compare how the Zune stacks up against the iPod.

What we know less about is how Microsoft is going to sell the Zune. Aside from some free concerts today and some billboards around town (at least in Seattle), what has Microsoft planned to persuade people to buy this and not an iPod? How will retailers promote the Zune?

Andrew Michael Baron of Rocketboom says on his blog that he was going to do a cross-promotion with Zune.net, but backed out after seeing this in the contract:

"You may not display the Logo(s) on any site that disparages Microsoft or its products or services, infringes any Microsoft intellectual property or other rights, or violates any state, federal or international law."

Baron posted a letter he said he sent to Microsoft saying that the restriction was not reasonable.

Here are a few reviews out lately on the Zune:

David Pogue: iPod it's not

Walter Mossberg: Zune challenges iPod

Newsweek: Microsoft misses -- for now
Keep in mind that Steven Levy, the author of this review, has just written a book about the iPod.