Microsoft Corp.'s answer to Apple's iPod will be built by Toshiba Corp., the software company confirmed Friday.

The gadget, which will be one of the products marketed under Microsoft's Zune brand, will let people share songs, photos, music playlists and other content with others through a wireless connection. One feature will allow a person to act as a disc jockey, sending music to up to four other devices.

Toshiba, which sells music and video players that use Microsoft's Windows software, filed Thursday with the Federal Communications Commission for approval of the device. Microsoft spokeswoman Denise Gocke confirmed the filing and Toshiba's role in the project.

Microsoft is turning to an outside manufacturer as it works to get the device in stores for the holidays. The Redmond company plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars over the next several years in a bid to dent Apple's 77 percent share of the $4 billion U.S. market for digital music players.

"Microsoft is not a hardware manufacturer," said Michael Gartenberg, an analyst with JupiterResearch in New York. "They would like to partner with someone who can deliver a high-quality experience, and Toshiba fits the bill."

Calls to Toshiba consumer products public relations firm Brodeur Worldwide weren't returned. Tokyo-based Toshiba Corp. is Japan's largest chipmaker.

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