Once upon a time, Zune phone rumors were as thick on the ground as Autumn leaves. But as the inevitable nothing happened, they died down and were replaced by the more interesting Windows 7 rumblings. But now Microsoft is in pole position to announce something like a Zune phone, having pretty much let the whole 7 cat out of the bag and lacking any really compelling major product developments other than the standard stuff. Could this coming January hold the surprise announcement everyone wants to hear?
When Ballmer gets up in front of the crowd at CES, what will he have to say? Doubtless he’ll be focusing on the future (no more Vista success stories, we hope), what Windows 7 has to offer, and then — we hope — revamping Microsoft’s whole position on the mobile platform. As I noted in my RedFly review, WinMo is a capable, popular operating system, but it is far from future-proof and it is increasingly playing catch-up. In other words, it’s like Vista. What’s to be done?
The supposed Zune phone would address the complicated interface, limited media capability in a time of device convergence, and completely rebrand Microsoft in the mobile market. The Zune interface is attractive, of course, but not really applicable to the mobile experience yet; however, I know people on the team and they are certainly capable of adapting the design ideas to a touchscreen-based, full-service mobile phone.
And what about the killer app? A mobile social network of friends and like-minded music lovers who can fire songs to each other over a nationwide network? How unbelievably awesome would that be?
“Message from James! ‘Check out this new Wolf and Cub song’ – Listen/Download/Buy”
Seriously, it’s not only possible but totally a good idea, and possibly necessary for a continued MS presence in the mobile world. I don’t think we’ll have a product before 9 months from now, but I certainly wouldn’t say a Zune phone announcement (or at least a hint) out of the question.
Zune phone….????
Why cant Microsoft stay focused on what they are making…Windows 7 ? Then atleast one product can be reasonable.
Ballmer should learn from Jobs !!!
http://www.livbit.com
Because at Microsoft they read this article…someone thought it was a good idea…drew up the design papers and developed the project…and it promptly got shot down for no reason other than it’s a good idea.
Stop putting Windows on devices. Please. Problem solved.
I for one would buy such a device. I love my Zune but have no desire to be a part of the social.
agreed. i think the zune is an awesome product but I won’t touch any of the social stuff.
Marketing wise it would be a *massively bad idea* to call it the ZUNE phone. The zune fell extremely short for expectations against the iPod world of players. That reputation would stifle the phones chances right out of the gate.
My name is Peter Urban and I live in a world of Marketing Myopia. I do not understand why some people like the Zune, nor how many people actually like it, therefore I am going to proclaim it a “bad idea” for Microsoft to label their phone the “Zune Phone.” Let’s face it, if you develop a product that doesn’t outperform the best device in its class, you should immediately shut down the unit, never refer to the name of the product again, burn all of the patents, and walk away. I’m Peter Urban and I approve this message.
Perfect!
Every time I go to best buy I take a look at a zune just to remind myself that they exist. Just an awful product. The only reason to buy one is to brag you’re not a sheep and getting an iPod. But it backfires because you suddenly realize you have a piece of crap with a name. Zune!
You bought a freakin’ zune! You lose! Hahaha.
Have you actually used a Zune? I switched from an ipod and would not go back. With the zune pass, it is probably the most complete music ecosystem out there.
it simple why there will not be such a phone.
MICROSOFT IS INCAPABLE. After a decade of win mobile, after half a decade of vista development..and all they can come up with is Vista and Win Mobile? Do you really think they can do something thats better in a matter of months?
Forget it, it won’t happen. MS is incapable.. as simple as that. they are dead in the water… desperately holding on to what little they have…
the fact that they even dared to roll out Vista.. shows that they have no concept of reality.
Google is the new microsoft.. has been for a few years… get over it…
I wonder what type of juice you drinking? it’s really harming your brain cells (at least what you have left).
I could see them doing it. Microsoft has cash to burn and desperately wants to become “cool” again. If they seriously want to compete against the iPhone however, they should put Android in it. Zune Android sounds kinda cool…
It is happening, “Project Pink” with Roz Ho running the show. Probably see something in Q2 next year.
My god, someone that has actually chosen to do some research – shame Devin Coldeway didn’t, choosing instead to base a speculative blog post on the premise that he doesn’t have a clue what might be talked about at CES.
Podmonkey is quite right, for anyone else that wants to do proper research watch this video with Roz Ho: http://channel9.msdn.com/shows/WM_IN/Roz-Ho-Reflections-On-Leadership-and-Believing-in-Yourself/
suck Phone 7, let’s make the blue crash screen for the masses!
Welp, I guess its official that Microsoft isn’t done embarrassing it self. No one wants a zune, what makes you think they want a zune phone ? When will they learn to stop wasting time, money, energy and resources on silly projects and focus on products that matter.
Maybe you already know this, but Microsoft is also coming out with a lower-level video game console for children and old people that aren’t interested in XBox 360 games. It’s called the Zii.
you are embarrassing yourself right now, so you are in no position to point fingers. I personally own a Zune and it’s quite impressive. Have you ever used a Zune? i am sure you have not. It’s not a perfect device nor does it have the shinny looks of a Ipod but it’s deffinitely better than an Ipod.
Seems like the early Motorola + Apple phone rocker.
Seems like a great idea, but it doesn’t seem that the Zune has had much of an impact on the iPod. I wonder if it would make a huge impact in the mobile phone world? I guess it all depends on what carrier they go with, and how good of an app. store they can build. They’d have a lot of work to do…
Jake
NoteScribe: Premier
Notes Software
stop being haters!
they will come up with a very innovative phone that will have a touchscreen, a browser, will be able to play video and music and you can install applications…
obviously i’m sarcastic
The current version of Windows mobile can do all that. Your sarcasm is lost on me.
i worked at both apple and microsoft on the core of both products.
you cant buy cool. microsoft just wants to be cool.
zune sucks.
I guess you can’t be common sense either. Stop flaming and actually use the thing and come up with a decent reason why. I may be buying into the Apple koolaid now but my iPod Touch isn’t getting any younger.(Even though Apple continues to charge me for function updates.)
I meant buy common sense.
Call it the Zphone!