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Microsoft’s standalone media-player dream has just died (or become even more dead), with the company confirming earlier rumours that no more Zune players will be made. It’s Windows Phone or bust from now on.
In a post on the Zune Support Forums, a Microsoft employee confirmed the end of the physical form of Zune, saying “Windows Phone will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy, and that we will no longer be producing Zune players”. So the only error about yesterdays “publishing error” was that it should’ve been published today.
If you already own an imported physical Zune or use the software shops and services in the UK those will continue to work, as the servers and Microsoft’s Zune Marketplace will be staying online.
But if you’ve spent the last few years waiting for Zune hardware to officially launch in the UK, it’s time to make other plans. Like, getting a bigger SD card for your mobile. [Zune Support via WMPU]
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“It’s Windows Phone or bust from now on.” so it’s bust then.
Microsoft should release the Zune software for it’s high earning Android Platform rather then just it’s lackluster WP7 one.
This is a real shame as my Zune HD is one of my favourite pieces of tech, lovely screen, and the software, although I could see the writing on the wall when I purchased it in the US last year, as I couldn’t find it in a single bricks and mortar shop…
If they integrate the Zune branding into a dedicated Windows Phone handset (and its a shame MS don’t make handsets) then it would be the next logical step. Worked for Apple and the iPod/iPhone.
I thought that the Zune HD was a much more compelling device than the 1st generation iPod touch, if it weren’t for the app store. Unfortunately, that’s just the way life goes and apple once again triumphed the portable media sector.
So no Zune and possibly no iPod classic after today… What are we all going to do with our large music libraries !!