Microsoft Kills Zune Hardware; Service Lives on in WP

[JMcEntegart]

Microsoft has announced that it will no longer be producing Zune MP3 players, preferring instead to focus on Windows Phone.

Microsoft Kills Zune Hardware; Service Lives on in WP : Read more

 

[southernshark]

It makes sense. If they don't compete with Sony, for example, then just maybe Sony will make a Sony Windows 8 Tablet. In fact, that deal might already have been made. Microsoft got itself in a pinch in the past trying to compete with too many products, rather than focusing on supplying software to other people's products, which was the core of its business. So I think this could be a good decision.

 

[amk-aka-Phantom]

Who needs an mp3 player nowadays, anyway? And I won't buy an mp3 player tied to any service. I will download and copy my music myself.

 

[Kami3k]

Microsoft needs to fire their entire marketing department.

Zune was superior to the iPod, as are many of Microsoft's products. It's just their marketing SUCKS!

 

[Kami3k]

[citation][nom]amk-aka-phantom[/nom]Who needs an mp3 player nowadays, anyway? And I won't buy an mp3 player tied to any service. I will download and copy my music myself.[/citation]

Must be nice to be clueless about, well, everything.

 

[captaincharisma]

+1000 on that Kami3k

 

[milktea]

I only wish MS would put in some thoughts to improve the sound quality of their next gen media player, like 24/96 >120db SNR. This might be niche at first, but will certainly gain them loyalty from the high-end market, which is something Apple and others haven't touch yet.

 

[isisyodin]

R.I.P. Zune... another MS failure. I wonder where is the individual that convinced the board to push such a device in a matured and saturated market; its faith was known before it was even placed on the store shelves.

 

[Guest]

no idea why Kami3k is getting thumbs down other than from the zealots, Zune HD was in fact a superior product (which probably came to market way too late to win any real market share), it's build quality was exception and extremely sturdy (and i have to say i prefer it's aesthetics to the iPod, felt alot more masculine with it's sharp edged lol), performance was nippy, beats any other MP3 players hands down on sound quality and wifi sync and share was the bomb

it's only weak point was a very poorly supported app market, but as an MP3 player there was very little else to recommend

 

[Aoster87]

Hopefully WP7.5 will have support to play licensed songs from the Zune marketplace. Currently you cannot use your WP7 to play DRM-laden files from their service, but you can of course play "owned" files.

 

[kewlx]

cowon s9 and j3 and d3 are way better

 

[halcyon]

I thought MS had stopped making/selling the Zune a couple years ago. ???

 

[reggieray]

Wait, let me get my violin out for another failed Microbloat copy cat adventure.

 

[zaho0006]

[citation][nom]Aoster87[/nom]Hopefully WP7.5 will have support to play licensed songs from the Zune marketplace. Currently you cannot use your WP7 to play DRM-laden files from their service, but you can of course play "owned" files.[/citation]

I have been using my Samsung Focus to play zune DRM files for a year or so now, never had any issues. I also thought they confirmed discontinuing the zune a while back, although I with this announcement it would have been cool to see a phone launching with higher quality sound components.

 

[reggieray]

Let me also say I will not buy a iPod either. I see tools at the gym wearing these thing, hiding in their own little world. These things are anti-social devices, get a life and talk to your fellow man. You would be amazed what you may learn.

 

[dimar]

The only phone worth using for music is Samsung Galaxy, rooted, with Voodoo plugin. In general, phones have terrible audio output. Nothing beats Sandisk Sansa with Rockbox firmware. Phone manufacturers must concentrate on audio output quality if they want my $$$. Reviewers should thoroughly analyse it too.

 

[sa1nt]

It's fun to remember how Microsoft bragged about how Zune will take over all iMarket

 

[mattmock]

[citation][nom]reggieray[/nom]Let me also say I will not buy a iPod either. I see tools at the gym wearing these thing, hiding in their own little world. These things are anti-social devices, get a life and talk to your fellow man. You would be amazed what you may learn.[/citation]
I know that when I go to the gym I am really hoping that someone will come up and start an involved conversation while I try to work out.

 

[halcyon]

[citation][nom]sa1nt[/nom]It's fun to remember how Microsoft bragged about how Zune will take over all iMarket[/citation]

You should be more sympathetic, some folks, somewhere, will actually miss the Zune.

 

[belardo]

I thought the Zune Hardware was already dead.

What if his kids want an MP3 player... their only choice is iPod or SONY for the upper end.