So I don't know if any of you have been paying attention to Microsoft's iPod killer line, the Zunes, but I think this might be the biggest upset of the year in the making.

First let me set the stage:
The Zune 30 was introduced first, followed by the Zune 80 and flash Zunes, all of which ran the same firmware. They were all later updated to be able to run games developed with XNA.

Bear in mind there isn't any kind of distribution channel for these games/apps developed yet. You can only load them by using MS Visual Studio, as the whole thing is still in some sort of "beta".

However, its inevitable that the Zune Marketplace will get an apps/games store built in. Count on it.

Also note that Xbox 360 is getting integration with the Zune Marketplace for "instant" play 1080p movies.

Now bring in the crown jewel, the iPod Touch "killer" the Zune HD, sporting a capacitive touchscreen.
I'll leave you all to bing the specs on this new beast (set to launch on Sept 5th supposedy), but this thing is going to ship with a browser. Whether thats IE or something else remains to be seen.

So this "mp3" playing "iPod" killer is going to ship with a capacitive touchscreen, browser, and C#/XNA based application support out of the box. This already puts it in fighting range of Maemo, although granted this has a MUCH more entertainment twist, whereas the NITs have always been able to achieve good use as workhorse.

I would bet that the Zune software is going to recieve an update to allow purchasing of apps/games.

I would also bet that developers will be in no short supply as there is already an install base of several MILLION zunes (albiet non touchscreen ones) out there, coupled with this new Zune to bring renewed market interest.

AND, icing on the cake, don't forget Project Pink and Windows Mobile 7 which will bring Zune functionality(at least music, probably video, and possibly XNA applications) to all WinMo smartphones in the future.

I think I might just go buy me some Microsoft stock today.