Zune expanding to the UK this fall

The Zune Marketplace online store, Zune Pass music subscription service, enhanced features on Zune.net and free Zune software will launch on PCs, Windows Phone 7 and Xbox Live in the UK this autumn, Microsoft said this morning.

The Zune PC software suite has also been upgraded to serve as the Window 7 phone synchronization client.

The new version will be free to download from Zune's marketplace.

The launch of the service in the UK will enable consumers to purchase MP3s from Zune Marketplace and listen to them on any device which supports the format.

Subscribers will also be able to purchase music videos from the Zune marketplace.

Users will also have an option of subscribing to monthly music subscription Zune Pass for £8.99 a hit, providing them with unlimited download and streaming access to the Zune music catalogue.

You'll also be provided with an option to rent movies from Zune Marketplace and those in UK will have an additional option to purchase download to-own movies and music videos.

Zune Marketplace is accessible from within the Zune Software, and provides users with the ability to purchase millions of individual tracks and albums from its catalogue.