A Best Buy sales representative confirmed that Microsoft's Zune digital music player was available for sale at one of its store locations on Sunday.

A Union City, California, sales representative said that the store had in stock 20 black players available for sale, 7 brown ones, and no remaining white ones. The move is presumably a mistake. Amazon.com and Wal-Mart, for example, are still only taking preorders for the Zune player.

In contrast, Apple Computer holds secret every move of its product launch and tends to tightly control sales dates.

Microsoft's 30 GB digital media device had been scheduled to go on sale for $249 on November 14. The software juggernaut has scheduled an uncharacteristically splashy run of launch parties for Monday night to push the player (see Red Hots to Rock the Zune).

In September, Microsoft made the announcement for the U.S. launch of its digital device and Zune Marketplace music service (see Microsoft Reveal Zune Price).

The software maker will offer a ZunePass monthly subscription at $14.99 for access to millions of songs. Also, it will sell individual tracks for 99 cents, based on a points system that requires customers to buy a minimum block of $5 worth of points.

Zune players feature Wi-Fi wireless capability for music and image sharing, a built-in FM tuner, and a 3-inch color screen for music, photos, and video.

Contact the writer: SMartin@RedHerring.com