Microsoft’s already shown with the Xbox 360 and Kin that it’s looking to take its Zune platform beyond Zune-branded hardware, but we can’t say we expected it to go quite this far — Microsoft has now teamed up with United Airlines to offer “Zune inflight audio” to passengers. That apparently won’t involve any new hardware in the planes — Microsoft or otherwise — but it will give passengers 21 new playlists “programmed by Zune” to choose from, including options like Classic Rock, Contemporary Pop, Opera and Piano Jazz. Not many more details than that, unfortunately, with United only saying that it looks forward to “working with Zune and Microsoft to create new onboard experiences.” Sure, it might not sound like much, but it should at least go some ways towards improving the Zune’s name recognition . Full press release is after the break. Continue reading United Airlines offers up ‘Zune inflight audio,’ no actual Zunes United Airlines offers up ‘Zune inflight audio,’ no actual Zunes originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink