hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

The end of Zune? It’s not just the music anymore

blogs.zdnet.com/BTL

Will there be any more zune firmware updates with new features.

... not asking for details or specifics... I just want to know if the zunes that we own will have more to offer us in terms of features and capabilities.

It's a simple question deserving a simple answer.  Thanks!

Thanks for the info, now to help squelch the rumors on Twitter.

I don't care what the Financial Times reports; I'm having a Zune Meetup next Friday at my favorite laid-back Lower East Side bar.  Peace.

Well if what Ballmer was quoted as saying in the Financial Times is accurate  ". . . with the market for dedicated portable media players in decline, the future lay in more “general purpose” devices – such as Apple’s iPhone and touch." then you don't have to be a genius to figure out that Microsoft won't be investing a lot of money in the Zune "dedicated portable media players". To do otherwise would be making an irresponsible business decision.

Possible Zune Phone in the works?

I'm glad to see Zune expanding. I just hope that it doesn't go "software only". I love the devices too! They are part of the great Zune experience.

Maybe what this means is just the integration into the xbox and windows mobile..which will be more touch friendly and could also allow for a touch screen zune with full internet access.  

Pat Canella, I think its going to be more like Phone with Zune software.

well, i don't find the comments very reassuring for the zune hardware...

let me start out by saying i'm a huge fan of microsoft's... i'm not necessarily confident they're always first to market with innovative ideas, but i do think they follow-up with superior products. i wish i could remember where i read it, but i thought it was a good philosophy - it's not about being first to market, it's about being best to market. i think microsoft falls in the best to market category...

so why don't i find the comments very reassuring for the zune hardware?? to quote, "Today, this means a great Zune experience on the PC and portable Zune devices, and as we have said before we think it makes sense to extend that experience to other devices in the future." that's today. what about tomorrow?? again, i think microsoft is great at being best to market, but sometimes i think their follow-through is lacking. anyone remember ultimate tv?? fantastic product - great features, superior user interface. in fact, to this day, i don't think i've found a better interface. but what happened to it?? microsoft stopped supporting it.

well, with the comments above, focusing more on software and extending the experience to other devices, i fear the end of the zune hardware.

That's cool to support other devices, but does that mean the zune device itself will be dropped?

It all boils down to economics.  The Zune has a 3% market share in the MP3 media device sector and it isn't even in the second spot on that list, Sandisk is.  

I just bought a 120 Zune, and I love it.  Carry it everywhere I go, except when I exercise--that's when the 8 gig Zune comes out.

I love my devices, and I think Microsoft nailed it with the interface and the Social, but unfortunately the Zune failed to catch up with Apple's iPod.  

Although the comments here don't bode well for the Zune as a device, we have to keep in mind the device is nothing without the software.  If Microsoft decides to go with a software only option, I'd be cool with that.  

The one thing we must remember is that this is all a business and in the end, Microsoft has to return a profit.  

Don't fret, overall I don't think the Zune brand is going away, I just think you'll see it in many more places than you normally have these days.  

I think it was appalling to hear Steve Ballmer say "IF there is a future for the Zune...".

I mean, WTF, isn't the CEO of Microsoft also supposed to instill confidence in the existing user base instead of making them worried and start looking around for something else.

I am after this NOT a big Steve Ballmer fan and he deserves the four letters of his last name...

How to keep conspiracy theories alive and drench all marketing fires, answer things in a haze cloud of PR nothingness. Don't ever directly state anything, use codewords such as "extend" and "today" followed by a "future".

Just one clear answer that you aren't going to abandonware an entire hardware platform. Not so hard to do. Right?

Does nobody think if it were to spread further then they'd be in for a better time support wise? I know that most of my friends and family in the UK are dying to get their hands on such things, to the extent that a couple of us have made US bank accounts for Zune specifically.

I doubt that market share is ultimately that important if you've got the revenue stream of subscription programs. I don't know many iPod owners who are sending $15 to Apple every month.

Get the Zune in the UK- if there's one dissapointment from CES it's that this wasn't announced. Shame.

I hope this suggested move away from proprietary devices doesn't come to fruition. I like the Zune hardware and I'd hate to see it go away and get replaced with a WinMo app or something.

I hate this move to "all-in-one" phone devices. I have a phone and a Zune 80, because a purpose-built media player with end-to-end hardware and software is always going to be a tighter experience than some music player app will ever be.

Well perhaps it would do better if they got around to selling it outside it's domestic market.  I would buy one if they sold them in the UK.

Don't leave out the Zune devices! They are the reason people got into Zune in the first place!

Where's the Zune Phone. And give some props to the Linux version of Zune lovers.

New Screens and Devices

As long as this means that they're continuing making Zune devices I'm fine with everything.

The subscription model is the best model out there Zune takes advantage of this by coupling it with a dedicated player.

The Social is a very unique feature and I think its users think its effective as well.

That being said, having a niche player is not a bad thing.

"other devices" - maybe I'll get the device I want - a Zune-based "receiver" on my audio shelf that mates Zune function with a stereo receiver / amp .

"other devices"

Perhaps my wish will be granted - a device which sits in my entertainment center, and combines Zune function with that of a "receiver" so that I have something which fits in with my other audio/video equipment yet wirelessly syncs to my PC in the other room

Truthfuly i had always thought this is the way Zune should have been. Why copy what Apple was doing. They have a 10 year head start. I would love to see the Zune software surport other devices. Yes the Zune player is good but copying apple just means Microsoft will lose money.The Zune software is awsome. If it was made avalible for ipods,i have a feeling people with Windows pc's would drop itunes quick..

Get the Zune software on other devices. What would be really cool would be a version of Windows Mobile/Windows embed that catered to Zune like devices specifically. Open it up to car stereos, home stereos, Xbox360, Mac, Linux (like that will happen) and most importantly overseas.

But doing that does not mean they should be canning the Zune hardware. Every audiophile I have ever met (myself included) LOVES their Zune a thousand times more than they ever liked their iPod or Creative player because it caters to the music. The subscription, the social aspect of it, the discovery features. All of that makes for a great player. Improve upon this some, and its golden.

It may never win out on the mainstream market. The Zune as a device will probably never beat out the iPod. Thats why you bank on the software (IE earlier embed idea) to hold up the struggling player, which will gain strength as it becomes more recognized in other devices. Like I said, complete market share wont happen. However, audiophiles clearly want to keep the Zune around, and it can still be profitable. Eliminating the device is not the answer.

Where did my entry go. I wrote quite a bit on this and posted it 2 days ago but it's failed to appear which is a pity.

It seems many have a hard time interpreting "zune device". It is a strategic term. They are correct in focusing on software and services and being vague (or strategic, depending on how you look at it) about actual hardware.  "Zune device" includes their current mp3 player as well as any other entertainment oriented hardware.

Zune should get together with satellite radio somehow.

I guess this means I can stop holding my breath for a decent car headunit with Zune control :/

Like I posted earlier, the zune mp3 player is just one zune device.  MS came out today reiterating their support for that device and expanding zune devices to set top boxes, phones, tv's etc.  I would expect to see the zune marketplace and software integrated with the xbox (another zune device)shortly too.

HELP ME!! when i plug my zune cord into the computer connecting the zune to the computer something happens to where i cant connect my zune to the computer what should i do

Like I posted earlier, the zune mp3 player is just one zune device.  MS came out today reiterating their support for that device and expanding zune devices to set top boxes, phones, tv's etc.  I would expect to see the zune marketplace and software integrated with the xbox (another zune device)shortly too.