Today, the Apple iPod’s red-headed child, the Microsoft’s Zune will launch an artist-focused podcast. What does that mean? Well Billboard is reporting that the new podcast called, The Green Room, is part of Microsoft’s effort to chip away at Apple’s market share dominance by to differentiate itself.

The Green Room is one of many new initiatives launched by the mp3 player including “Zune School Music Masters,” a curriculum of music put together by Zune, “”Xbox Gamer Central,” music related to games such as MTV’s “RockBand 2″ and “Hits Collections.”

According to Billboard, the first Green Room podcast, will feature backstage interviews with Common. In conjunction with the podcast launch Zune will make Common’s title single “Universal Mind Control” from Common’s forthcoming album available for download on the Zune Marketplace.

Editor Note: If you do own an iPod, Zune or any other music player, make sure you pick up Highbrid Nation’s EP iBrid by Highbrid Nation’s own bloggers.