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When Microsoft introduced its Zune audio player to compete with Apple's iPods yesterday, it also revealed plans to create a whole series of devices based under the brand. One of these is going to be, of course, a music phone.

Zune general manager Chris Stephenson said at a news conference, "A Zune phone is definitely part of the future of this brand."

He did not elaborate as to what type of features this device would offer or exactly when it would be available, although access to the Zune Marketplace/music store seems like an obvious extrapolation. But will it run Windows Mobile and function as a smartphone?

It just so happens that practically ever since Apple introduced the iPod there have been rumors about an iTunes-capable iPod/phone. The scuttlebutt about an iPhone has grown to a crescendo over the last several months, leading many analysts to predict that it won't be too long before Steve Job's introduces one on stage at some heavily-hyped Apple event.

Some thought he would do so this week even, when he did in fact introduce the latest iPods, an iTunes upgrade, downloadable movies, and plans to roll out a device called iTV, which will stream films and television shows to TVs and computers throughout people's homes next year.

The most recent iPhone rumors place Apple introducing the device at Macworld in San Francisco next January. Supposedly it'll have a 2.2-inch display with all of the regular iPod features, including complete iTunes integration, and no 100-song limit that plagued iTunes-compatible Motorola ROKR.

Whenever Microsoft comes out with its Zune phone, it is likely that it'll be after Apple introduces its iPhone. But it almost certainly won't take as long - a half decade - as it took Microsoft to unveil its first music player after the first iPod appeared