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Microsoft hopes to launch the Zune in Europe before the end of 2007, the
company told
Reuters over the weekend, and hinted that there would be "more devices,
more features" by that time. Acknowledging that Apple is a tough competitor
in the music player market, Microsoft's marketing director Jason Reindorp
said that the company was still happy with the Zune's launch numbers and hopes
to sell 1 million units by June.
What's
in the future for the Zune? Here's what we know from comments both
public and off the record from Microsoft sources. Speaking at the Midem
Music Expo in Cannes, France on Saturday, Microsoft's media business
chief Chris Stephenson also indicated that more versions of Zune are on
the way. These will include a flash-based version of the player, which
is currently expected to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2007. Sources
say that the flash-based Zune will compete against the iPod nano and
other diminutive flash-based players. Sources tell us that Microsoft
also hopes to roll out a 12GB model, if the NAND flash memory market
can make the jump. The irony in this is that the next jump in NAND
flash storage will likely be caused by the success of the iPod nano,
which is already driving a significant portion of all NAND flash memory
sales. Until more info is released. you can drool over some mockups of how the flash-based Zune might look like.
Stephenson also said that he envisions the proliferation of music "filling
stations"—retail locations that already host WiFi
hotspots—where Zune users could fill up on music over the air. He also
said that the company is looking into more ways for users to "cache
and download on the go." This all but confirms the company's plans to
fully enable WiFi in the way that many potential buyers have hoped—the
ability to purchase music directly from the Zune. Also rumored is
the possibility that Microsoft will enable full sharing of subscription music
over WiFi, despite recent
reports that users can't even share all songs under Microsoft's
current three-play limit.
Other Zune rumors include the possibility that a pocket version of Internet
Explorer will run on the next version of the Zune. Apple's upcoming iPhone
will allow web browsing via WiFi, as does the Sony PSP. If WiFi ends up becoming
fully-enabled on the Zune for music purchasing and sharing purposes, it would
only sense to enable web browsing via the Zune as well.
Reindorp said that the company was not trying to play catch-up with Apple
in a market where the iPod is so entrenched, but attempting to give the
Zune a name for itself. "We are very realistic, we have what
is essentially a three-year plan to firmly and solidly get on the radar,"
he told Reuters. Microsoft seems to acknowledge its slow start with the Zune,
but like the original Xbox, has big plans for sneaking the Zune in as a big
player in the future.
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