Microsoft announced today it has partnered with Internet access provider Wayport Inc. to give Zune users free, wireless access to the Zune Marketplace from more than 9,800 participating McDonald's in the US. The association with the ubiquitous fast food chain is quite a fascinating contrast to image put out by the iPod. In the past, McDonald's has opened up its WiFi for users of Nintendo DS, ZipIt, and Eye-Fi (the deal for DS users ended earlier this year).

Great news for Zune users, but to put it in perspective, Zune has 4% of the MP3 player market (according to NPD).

The Zune 3.0 software upgrade is available today, by the way.

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