The "Butterfly" is a slider, but it slides out horizontally, rather than vertically like most other slider phones. In fact it looks similar to the Samsung K5 we've reviewed before. The whole package is an AMOLED touchscreen and it includes all of the regulars like a camera, SD expandability and such. There is a little to no chance in hell of this ever becoming a real phone, but it is definitely interesting to see how the minds of the future cellphone designers are working. Jump for some more pictures.

–Travis Hudson

A teenager's 'iPhone rival' concept [Electronista]

Our inboxes are on fire with brand new information about the new Microsoft MP3 player. We thought the player was code-named "Argo", but we now got word that the final product name that's been flying around is the "Zune"!

The pic on the right seems to be the final design, which makes the player very clean—a definite departure from Microsoft's other endeavors. You all remember the video Microsoft's own people made to illustrate their packaging shortcomings? Well, it seems like they haven't learned much, as our tipster tells us the packaging itself is pretty ugly.

More info after the jump!

Our mole also says there's no game menu to be seen on the device, putting those rumors of portable gaming from Xbox branding in possible jeopardy. More game options possibly coming in the 2nd iteration.

There's also mention of a black version of the Zune, being shown on a music video for the band CSS, and the brown version on the cover for "Band of Horses". You can display Album covers for the song you're listening to on the screen, which is "big enough" and looks "pretty good". Paul Oakenfold also has a tie-in deal.

From the looks of things, the Zune will definitely be ready for a Xmas release.

We'll have more information plus possibly the logo and/or UI Shots tomorrow. Stay tuned! – Jason Chen

Thanks Tipster!

Last week we got some juicy initial information regarding the portable media player that Microsoft has in the works. Today a juicy little column appeared in the Seattle Times that has a boatload of information about this device, unfortunately, it is a column therefore none of the facts are backed up. The columnist said his information came from a source close to the project. So this could be a bunch of mumbo-jumbo or it could be dead on accurate, but check out what the columnist, Brier Dudley, had to say.

The project is currently codenamed Argo, and is being developed as a "complete line of Xbox-branded digital-media products." This includes a media player and online services. It is being developed under the Xbox group being led by J Allard, Xbox co-founder. The team includes people who worked on MSN Music (ugh). The project will also likely showcase Allard's XNA game developing toolkit.

Dudley points out the fact that Microsoft's annual meeting is July 27, so that could be a perfect time for an official announcement that will make all of us pee a little bit. We'll keep you posted as more information surfaces. – Travis Hudson

Argo aims guna at more than iPod [Seattle Times Via Kotaku]

If you're on a bus or the subway with another user, you two can make an ad hoc network and share songs with each other. You can browse theirs and hide your own if you want. If you hear something you like, mark it for download and when you get home, the software will show you those songs in the music store. There's also probably going to be integration with the Xbox Live Anywhere.

The second bit of news is that Microsoft will scour your iTunes library and give you all the songs you already paid for, for free! This way you won't have to pay twice for your music, which is a huge barrier for Microsoft to attract users to their service. If you've got $1000 worth of music in your iPod, why would you change to something that required you to buy it all again? This move makes sense. – Jason Chen

Thanks to the tipster!

The New York Times is reporting today with some new, juicy information about Microsoft's iPod rival that has been in the works and speculation for quite some time now.

According to the Times, entertainment industry executives briefed on the plans for the device last night and said it should be ready for a holiday season release. This device will also have wireless capabilities for song downloading on the fly. Also mentioned during the briefing is the fact that this player will include a more advanced screen than the iPod. No further information was divulged about how this screen is more advanced than Apple's iPod screen. Sounds like some good stuff, we'll keep you posted on more information as we hear it. – Travis Hudson

Looking to Take On Apple's iPod, Microsoft Plans Its Own Hand-Held Player [NY Times]

People who have seen the device demoed and said the iTunes-competitor was actually better than iTunes. The man previously in charge of Microsoft's Xbox division, Robbie Bach, is taking the reins of this project. No idea on when the device or the service will be released. – Jason Chen

Microsoft developing a rival to Apple's iPod [Reuters]