It’s probably been quite a few years coming, but Microsoft has announced that their solution to Apple’s iPod, the Zune, is being discontinued. The news came by press release from MSFT with this statement:
We recently announced that, going forward, Windows Phone will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy, and that we will no longer be producing Zune players. So what does this mean for our current Zune users? Absolutely nothing. Your device will continue to work with Zune services just as it does today. And we will continue to honor the warranties of all devices for both current owners and those who buy our very last devices.
Microsoft is currently encouraging users to transition to Windows Phone (at least they were in an October 3rd press release that was quickly removed from the Zune Support Team website as a report in error) which is possibly the route that was first anticipated once the Windows Phone was unveiled. Being the platform to lay the foundation for Microsoft’s Metro UI which is the very same that is seen on Windows Phone 7 devices, Windows 8 and the soon to be released Xbox 360 dashboard update, the Zune had one of the biggest (and worst) uphill battles to overcome. Over the 5 year lifespan of Microsoft’s portable media device, low sales and questionable adaptability from the consumers saw year after year of decreasing sales.
If you’re still wanting to get your hands on the Zune, move fast, because once they’re out of stock, that’s it.
http://www.popcultureshock.com/microsoft-abandons-zune/56839/
We recently announced that, going forward, Windows Phone will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy, and that we will no longer be producing Zune players. So what does this mean for our current Zune users? Absolutely nothing. Your device will continue to work with Zune services just as it does today. And we will continue to honor the warranties of all devices for both current owners and those who buy our very last devices.
Microsoft is currently encouraging users to transition to Windows Phone (at least they were in an October 3rd press release that was quickly removed from the Zune Support Team website as a report in error) which is possibly the route that was first anticipated once the Windows Phone was unveiled. Being the platform to lay the foundation for Microsoft’s Metro UI which is the very same that is seen on Windows Phone 7 devices, Windows 8 and the soon to be released Xbox 360 dashboard update, the Zune had one of the biggest (and worst) uphill battles to overcome. Over the 5 year lifespan of Microsoft’s portable media device, low sales and questionable adaptability from the consumers saw year after year of decreasing sales.
If you’re still wanting to get your hands on the Zune, move fast, because once they’re out of stock, that’s it.
http://www.popcultureshock.com/microsoft-abandons-zune/56839/
WORD!
will be copping that Zune HD 64 after the price drop
