It was inevitable that Flash-based Zune music players would go on sale. Tomorrow, second generation Zune players are rumored to be announced according to BetaNews:

About 2.4 million next-generation Zunes will be manufactured during the 2007 holiday season, according to reports. Two-thirds of these players are expected to be flash-based, showing that Microsoft is indeed aware of the much higher popularity of flash players, which are cheaper.

Back in November 2006, in response to a Zune bashing review where the reviewer claimed the Zune would be “dead within six months” I wrote:

if Microsoft follows the way Apple works its product lifecycle, we’re more likely to see a second generation Zune next year.

So, here we are like clockwork following the Halo 3 launch and served and ready for the 2007 holiday season. It makes sense, one doesn’t have to be a psychic.

Meanwhile, the Apple ship (disclaimer: I own Apple stock) is taking on some water. They have been fighting a PS3 type homebrew developer battle over the unlocking of the iPhone — which was stupid being lock-in with AT&T from the beginning — and some are contemplating a lawsuit. I doubt a lawsuit would prevail, because Apple has the right to do business with a single mobile carrier if they choose. It’s my very layman perspective that a class action lawsuit would be ill-advised.

One angry customer has already sued:

Dongmei Li of Queens, N.Y., claimed the company violated price discrimination laws when it slashed the price of the 8-gigabyte iPhone by a third, from $599 to $399, within two months of the gadget’s June debut.

Rather than dialing up lawyers, spurned customers should remember situations like these and vote with their wallets the next time around. I wonder how many of the people upset will be waiting in line for whatever Apple launches next? Any guesses a lot of them?

Back to the Zune, as a first generation supporter, I’m wondering how tomorrow’s news will impact my purchase. I’m still happy with the Zune and am glad to see them upgrading the line. Maybe I’m only 1 customer in 25 who bought the Zune instead of the iPod, but it fits my needs. Remember, I like the iPod too. My wife wants a new portable music device since our youngest son has been using her 80GB iPod. We’ll have to see what happens tomorrow.

• iPod nano = nah, no thanks
• The Not Buying iPhone Club
• Microsoft, Apple sued over web software updating
• Earn $20 making a Samsung Instinct YouTube video
• Apple stock reaches all time high in anticipation of iPhone
• Summer almost gone, Zune bashing still in season with ZunePhone parody