Microsoft Zune Users Get Free WiFi Access At McDonalds, With Or Without Fries

Microsoft Zune users will be able to connect to the Zune Marketplace free in McDonald's restaurants across the U.S., Microsoft said Tuesday. Microsoft is collaborating with high-speed Internet access provider Wayport on the venture.

The Microsoft Zune now has upgraded wireless capabilities due to a recent free software update, allowing users to directly connect to the Zune Marketplace via Wi-Fi, and stream and download content to their Zunes. The McDonalds' Wi-Fi access will allow users to take full advantage of these new capabilities.

"Wayport is pleased to be working with Microsoft to make it easier for Zune users to access music on the go," said Dan Lowden, vice president of business development and marketing for Wayport, in a statement. "Our ability to enable and manage applications and devices over converged networks creates exciting new opportunities for our clients to attract new customers whose digital lifestyle extends beyond their home and office."

The Microsoft Zune software update includes features such as tagging and purchasing songs directly from the Zune's FM radio. No more waiting until you get home to do a lyrics search on Google to figure out what that cool song was you heard on the radio.

The Zune Marketplace offers 4 million songs for purchase and download, 80 percent of which are available without digital rights management, so users can play the tracks on other devices.

The Zune Marketplace also features the recently-launched Zune Channels, which creates personalized recommendations and pushes new music automatically to users' Zune devices, and editorial content from Zune School Music Masters Program and the Xbox Gamer Central. Zune users can also download audiobooks from Audible.com.