You could be watching TV on your portable player

Widely seen as rivals to Apple's iTunes and iPod the portable media players from Creative Labs, Samsung and iRiver will play music, video, TV and show still images.

The devices are designed to work with MSN Music and the latest version of Microsoft's Media Player software.

The first gadgets are available now but more will follow in the Autumn.

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The handheld that has gone on sale first is Creative Labs' Zen portable media center.

CREATIVE ZEN SPECS 20GB hard drive Holds 9,000 songs or 85 hours of video Seven hours of video playback 22 hours of audio playback 3.8inch screen

Companion handhelds from Samsung and iRiver are due to be unveiled later in the year. All will work with Windows Media Player 10 software.

All the 20GB versions of the gadgets are expected to cost $499 in the US.

The gadgets were unveiled as Microsoft revealed details of a MSN Music download service that lets people download songs for 99 cents (55p).

While there are many other portable media players already on sale, from firms such as Archos, Microsoft is rolling together a package of services, websites and specially created content in a bid to tempt people into using its technology. At the core of this push is the Windows Media Player.

Microsoft is also keen to portray the devices as much more than just music stores and has signed up several partners to provide movies and TV footage for these portable players.

Apple's iPod has proved very popular

Providing services for the media players will be the movie website CinemaNow and the Major League Baseball (MLB) site.

CinemaNow is planning a pay-to-rent system that will make a portable version of any rented film available to customers buying or renting PC versions of films. Portable versions are expected to cost 99 cents.

MLB is planning to make available full game downloads as well as highlights, home run reel, classic footage and programmes made just for viewing on the gadgets.

Microsoft is also working with TV card makers on a system that will make it possible to watch recorded TV shows on the portable devices without the need for converting the recording to a special format.

Content will be locked using Microsoft's Janus copy protection system.

Creative is planning a UK launch for its media player in mid-September. Other European nations will follow later. There is no information available about the European availability of the other players.