Steve Ballmer's recent statements about the Zune seemed to imply that it didn't have much of a future as a hardware product. Microsoft has responded to such suspicions: "Poppycock! Codswallop! FLAPDOODLE!"
Well, the actual response was a little less Victorian (as reported by Wired Epicenter):
"Basically, what happened last week, Steve [Ballmer] said a couple of things about the category," said Adam Sohn, head of Microsoft's Zune marketing division, causing speculation that Microsoft would stop making Zunes. However, he clarified, "we're not getting out of the hardware business at all," adding that Microsoft is "deeply committed" to continuing to its Zune hardware strategy.
For what it's worth, this is a direct statement from Microsoft—the crux of last week's Financial Times story was not found in a direct quote, but rather in a section of analysis. Says the FT:
[The future of the Zune] lies in planting the software and online service linked to the player in other devices.
Given that music phones have long since come of age, such a strategy—whereby the Zune is a software platform primarily intended for the multitude of Windows Mobile handsets—would make sense. But for now at least, the standalone Zune seems to have some time left. [Wired Epicenter—Thanks, Joel!]
you know now that Steve Jobs is going to take medical leave can we start rumors that Apple will throw in the towel? maybe they will think before saying that Zune is done for
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A car with tricks?! That must be the one and only epic... Car Tricks!!!!!
I hope it's touch screen, and hopefully a lot cheaper than ipod touch... If it is Zune's business is gonna BOOM if the posted a commercial of Zune Touch and offered a lower price
I would imagine that MS is working on a SSD Zune or maybe a better flash memory one. Flash Memory and SSD's are getting cheaper as we speak. I think it would be great to 32 gb SSD or Flash zune.
I think its getting a bit ridiculous with the HDD size. Apple makes a 160 gb ipod...IMHO thats crazy. Unless your putting a sh!T ton of movies on it. Batteries last 12+ hours. Who listens to 120-160 gb of music?
I like to think I have a decent music collection and its at 25 gigs.
Why does anyone need that kind of space?
Im still running on my 30gb zune I got off Woot. Eager to see the next gen!
^ yeah I expect a 32 or 64GB flash (ssd) Zune this year, most likely being touch based and hopefully leaving a few devoted tactile buttons for those of us that don't like/need a touch screen. Although 64 might be pushing it as it's still rather expensive.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wdog119
Who listens to 120-160 gb of music?
I do. 160gb is probably the highest size they will go for then next couple years until FLAC and lossless become the norm then 240 will probably be introduced. HD DAP also will jack up the size so you might even see a 320 with 2gig movies on it and stuff. I have 168gigs of music (which had built up) But some members here are DJ's with over 500,000 songs so a big size would do them a lot of good.
im sure it wud help if they released it in the UK to boost sales.. i live in the UK and got a 120 zune the other day and love it .. was gutted when i found that i cudnt use it as a portable hard drive aswell thought =[
maybe they will think before saying that Zune is done for
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