In announcing the dazzling mini-innovation, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer highlighted the advantages of the new device over the iPod.



It's even thinner than the iPod Nano but a little longer - about the size of a strand of spaghetti.

But here's the big advantage that Ballmer emphasized. You don't just listen to it. You eat it. So the music really becomes part of you.

And, unlike the iPod, you can use it to share music with your friends. All you do is take a strand or so of Zunetti from your own plate and put it in your friend's plate. Then your friend eats it, and the music starts to play inside of both of you.

Due to concerns by record companies about copyright infringement, Microsoft has had to put a limit on the free music sharing. The Zunetti will only play the free download for three days after your friend ingests it, that is, just long enough for it to make its way through his or her system.

Microsoft cautions that you should choose your songs carefully. Because once you ingest some Zunetti, it will continue to play inside of your body for a very long time. To ease consumer concern over the longevity of play, the Zunetti comes equipped with, not only earphones, but earplugs.

WRITTEN BY Tom Attea