• Microsoft Kills the Zune
    57 replies, posted
[release][img]http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/data?pid=avimage&iid=iiXzNrZWOojw[/img] Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) will stop introducing new versions of the Zune music and video player because of tepid demand, letting the company shift its focus to other devices, according to a person familiar with the decision. Microsoft will concentrate on putting Zune software onto mobile phones, such as those running its Windows operating system, said the person, who declined to be identified because the decision hasn’t been announced. Zune software lets customers buy songs and movies, as well as pay a monthly fee to stream unlimited music. Zune, introduced in 2006, never managed to break the iPod’s grip on the music-player industry and became the brunt of late- night talk-show jokes. Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s iPod led the market with 77 percent of unit sales last year, while the Zune failed to crack the top five, according to NPD Group Inc. By adding the Zune features to the Windows Phone software, Microsoft aims to gain ground in another challenging area -- mobile phones -- where it’s lost market share to Google Inc. (GOOG) and Apple. Microsoft, based in Redmond, Washington, declined to comment on plans for the Zune. “We have nothing to announce about another Zune device -- but most recently have introduced Zune HD to Canada via the Zune Originals store and remain committed to supporting our devices in North America,” the company said in an e-mailed statement. “We are thrilled by the consumer excitement for Zune across many new platforms, including Windows Phone 7 and Xbox 360. Our long-term strategy focuses on the strength of the entire Zune ecosystem across Microsoft platforms.” Beating the iPod? When Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer released the Zune more than four years ago, he predicted that Microsoft could one day overtake Apple. “We can beat them, but it’s not going to be easy,” Ballmer said in a November 2006 interview. At the time, Microsoft executive Robbie Bach, then president of the entertainment and devices business, said the company planned to invest “hundreds of millions” of dollars over the following three to five years to compete with the iPod. The company doesn’t detail spending on individual products. In 2009, Microsoft split the Zune team into software and hardware groups, letting the software people focus more on other platforms, such as phones, the Xbox video-game console and personal computers. The company touted the Zune software as a key feature in its redesigned Windows mobile-phone operating system when it went on sale in October. Zune HD The Zune’s last completely new hardware model, the Zune HD, was released in 2009. A version that featured more storage went on sale a year later. Microsoft will continue to sell existing versions of the Zune, the person familiar with the matter said. Microsoft shares rose 1 cent to $25.69 as of 4 p.m. New York time on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The stock has fallen 8 percent this year. Talk-show hosts such as Craig Ferguson and Conan O’Brien ribbed the Zune for being an also-ran. Ferguson said the device was Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates’s bid to “loosen iPod’s stranglehold on the iPod market.” “The Zune has all the features of the iPod except it’s not as good,” he said in 2006. “Plus it can only download recordings of Bill Gates singing.”[/release] [url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-14/microsoft-said-to-stop-releasing-new-zune-models-as-demand-ebbs.html]Source (Bloomberg)[/url] [img]http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/818/okwiththis.png[/img] Edit: [highlight]NOPE ITS A RUMOR:[/highlight][b][url]http://www.zuneboards.com/forums/zune-talk/57668-zune-not-dead-dave-mclauchlan-s-statement.html[/url][/b]
lol it took them 5 years to realize they couldn't compete?
I use a walkman anyways.
[url]http://www.zuneboards.com/forums/zune-talk/57668-zune-not-dead-dave-mclauchlan-s-statement.html[/url] ?
Well fuck, I love my 80gb Zune.
Oops, stupid rumors.
[QUOTE=Jo The Shmo;28639643] [img_thumb][URL]http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/818/okwiththis.png[/URL][/img_thumb] [/QUOTE] As an owner of a Zune HD, I prefer this version of that image: [IMG]http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/6144/1298499579492.jpg[/IMG] The biggest problem with Zune or at least the Zune HD is the lack of app support. There are only 42 (that's "forty-two" and it's not an exaggeration) apps total, and there was a gap of more than a month between the last time they added apps and the previous time. They only added 3 apps during that month-long gap.
It was alive?
Too bad it's just a rumor. Seriously, does Microsoft have to get into everything? [editline]16th March 2011[/editline] Although I suppose everyone does that now.
I like the zune :|
I've always wanted a Zune, but they didn't sell them in Europe :( They look really nice.
I don't regret getting the original Zune, and was looking towards to the Zune HD, but I never had the cash. Sad to see it die a quiet death.
Zune should have no trouble at all competing with Ipod, they're cheaper per GB and I think they look nicer. The Zune HD is like 183 for 32 gigs and an Ipod touch of 32 gigs is 300. However, I am not one who cares at all about apps so maybe I'm a bit biased
They would've done better if they tried. It's liked they released it and forgot about it and never looked back.
[QUOTE=Zedicus Mann;28639990]Too bad it's just a rumor. Seriously, does Microsoft have to get into everything? [editline]16th March 2011[/editline] Although I suppose everyone does that now.[/QUOTE] I recall several articles of people bitching that Apple always creates the market. MS gets bitched at either way.
I like my zune for what it is. It's got it's pros and cons but It's good for on the go movies and has good sound quality.
I have had a Zune HD since release (pre-ordered) and haven't had any problems with it, it's fucking fantastic. Saved my life when I went to jury duty, since I loaded it up with movies. I watched movies/played games/listened to music for the entire 8-9 hours I was there and still had a quarter of the battery life left when it was finally over.
I got an old 120, it's ok, but I never use any kind of mobile device anymore anyway.
Their marketing and distribution of the product was complete shit of course it failed. My friend has one (got it from his father in the States, at the time they wouldn't be available here for another year) and they're actually pretty cool but only releasing it in the United States and (eventually) Canada was a stupid idea. They ignored gigantic markets like Asia/Europe for no good reason.
[QUOTE=MaverickIB;28640708]I have had a Zune HD since release (pre-ordered) and haven't had any problems with it, it's fucking fantastic. Saved my life when I went to jury duty, since I loaded it up with movies. I watched movies/played games/listened to music for the entire 8-9 hours I was there and still had a quarter of the battery life left when it was finally over.[/QUOTE] Wow I'm definitely going to buy a Zune HD if I decide to buy an MP3 player What file format does it support for movies?
[QUOTE=Tetracycline;28640799]What file format does it support for movies?[/QUOTE] probably wmv, the ultimate joke format.
I love my Zune.
i think we can all agree that zunes were pretty nice but ipod was just better
The Zune has potential; its just not being executed well enough. The Zune HD was good as a media device, but not as a all-around device like the iPod, which should be their focus for a future Zune model.
i have a zune 30 and hd and they are great rip zune
I love my zune. [editline]16th March 2011[/editline] Fuck ipods.
I like the style, looks, and design of the Zune, but the number of Apps for the iPod won me over. However, I'm growing tired of all the shitty Apps and boring UI on the iPod Touch which is will influence my next purchase of a media player. All I want in my media player is music, internet and a camera. I'm fucking done with the mediocre Apps that populate the App Store.
[QUOTE=ghettochip;28640931]probably wmv, the ultimate joke format.[/QUOTE] Yeah, totally. :rolleyes: [quote]Video support [b]Windows Media Video (WMV) (.wmv);[/b] Main and Simple Profile, CBR or VBR, up to 10.0 Mbps peak video bit rate; 720 pixels x 480 pixels up to 30 frames per second (or 720 pixels x 576 pixels up to 25 frames per second); Advanced profile up to L2, 1280 pixels x 720 pixels up to 30 frames per second, CBR or VBR, up to 14.0 Mbps peak video bitrate;Zune software will transcode HD WMV files above stated capabilities at device sync [b]MPEG-4 (MP4/M4V) (.mp4)[/b] Part 2 video3; Simple Profile up to 4.0 Mbps peak video bit rate; 720 pixels x 480 pixels up to 30 frames per second (or 720 pixels x 576 pixels up to 25 frames per second); Zune software will transcode HD MPEG-4 files at device sync [b]H.264 video3;[/b] Baseline Profile + bframes, up to 10 Mbps peak video bit rate; 720 pixels x 480 pixels up to 30 frames per second (or 720 pixels x 576 pixels up to 25 frames per second);1280 pixels x 720 pixels up to 30 frames per second, up to level 3.1 and 14.0 Mbps peak video bitrate; Zune software will transcode HD WMV files above the stated capabilities at device sync [b]DVR-MS4;[/b] Zune software will transcode at time of sync [/quote]
my friend has a 32 gig zune hd and its pretty awesome :\
Okay jesus what's with the Zune 120 gigs, it's 600 dollars what
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