“The big brown brick”. That is what the first Zune media player was often referred to as.  Then when the Zune HD was released it was generally well received, even by tech pundits who had previously discounted the original Zune.

Either way, the tech world has been more than willing to proclaim the Zune and Zune HD as yet additional Microsoft failures.  There have been a few of us though, that haven’t been so quick to throw the Zune to the wolves. Especially considering that the Zune user interface appears to have been the beginning point of the Metro UI, which is helping to propel Windows Phone 7 as a viable smartphone competitor.

Other than Paul and myself here at WinExtra, we have had a number of posts from knowledgeable Microsoft watchers, like Mary Jo Foley, who have been suggesting that we could actually see a new version of the Zune early in 2011.

Not only have jobs been posted in an effort to find hardware designers for a new Zune, but Microsoft is beginning to advertise the Zune HD with Best Buy, a major U.S. electronics retailer.  In line with this, Tom Warren at WinRumors (an excellent site you should be follow) has a new commercial airing on the Zune site.

[Cross-posted at Winextra]