Zune dead

[zerocool84]

Details are still emerging on this one, but it looks like Microsoft has finally killed off the Zune -- or the hardware side of things, anyway. According to Bloomberg's Dina Bass, an unnamed source has confirmed that Microsoft will no longer produce new Zune media players, and that the company will instead focus solely on the Zune software that already has a foothold on the Xbox 360 and Windows Phone devices (it's not clear if the name will stick around). More as we get it.

Zune players were nice but makes sense for them. Zune could never catch that big of a hold of the market. Cut their losses and focus on other things.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/14/microsoft-reportedly-kills-off-zune-hardware-will-focus-on-soft/

 

[Patranus]

Not sure why it took so long.

 

[Tristicus]

Not sure why it took so long.

Yeah, we should all be forced to use shitty iPods.

 

[zerocool84]

Yeah, we should all be forced to use shitty iPods.

iPods suck but they should have killed the Zone off sooner since it never went anywhere. Now they can 100% focus on Xbox and Phones.

 

[Malak]

The ZuneHD is pretty nice, and I like the software more than itunes... but more and more I am hating the marketplace. Some albums not available, some albums with half the songs missing, support not terribly helpful...

 

[TheStu]

Never was crazy about the buttons on the ZuneHD, but otherwise it is a nice piece of kit, and really like the Zune player on my WinMoPho.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Microsoft should stick to software.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Meh, MP3 players are in a totally different place now that everyone has a smartphone they can use for music. They have to appeal to more specialized niches - tiny ones for joggers, huge capacity ones for those people who have 100 GB music collections. The Zune was a cool product but it's just not really useful anymore.

 

[Bateluer]

*snip* They have to appeal to more specialized niches - tiny ones for joggers,*snip*

Still need a decent capacity and a readable screen. iPod Nanos used to be the best for runners. Until they went to the current generation.

 

[Tristicus]

Meh, MP3 players are in a totally different place now that everyone has a smartphone they can use for music. They have to appeal to more specialized niches - tiny ones for joggers, huge capacity ones for those people who have 100 GB music collections. The Zune was a cool product but it's just not really useful anymore.

I gladly prefer mine to my phone to listen to music. One thing, doesn't drain my battery. Another is that the interface is actually made for music and has dedicated buttons, vs a phone having mainly a screen and the stock music player being a pain for me. That, I also can leave my Zune sitting in my car and not really care who sees it (older 30gb).

 

[Patranus]

This might have had something to do with it

I am actually a bit surprised that no other company can compete with Apple on hardware/music distribution.

 

[randomlinh]

Still need a decent capacity and a readable screen. iPod Nanos used to be the best for runners. Until they went to the current generation.

sadly, there's no real alternative. Those sansa players from sandisk are mostly junk. really crappy UI and build... but the price reflects it.

 

[destrekor]

I used to use a 30gb Zune (and then a 120gb), and had a Sansa 4gb for running.
I decided that was annoying, but I was afraid of going back to only basically 30gb of music storage again. But at the launch day for the Zune HD, I decided I wanted to at least take a look at it. At first sight and the first time I held it, I was like... yep, I'm walking out of here with one. It was perfect, and I decided I could easily work with 30gb limit again. And it's great for running, and I don't have to constantly switch what music is on my device. Starting to work on a running playlist so I don't have to dig through the menus while I'm trying to run. The interface is stunning. Stunning enough that I was almost tempted to switch from Android, but alas, still no WP7 devices on the way to Verizon, and I still prefer the overall capabilities of Android, even if the interface has yet been modded to be nearly as beautiful.

Here's to hoping Zune eventually makes its way to the Android platform - they really should make it a multi-platform marketplace, that is there best chance to topple iTunes.

Seriously, a Zune app on Android would be sweet. I'd use it from time to time, because I'd still prefer a dedicated music device.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Total sales of MP3 players have been shrinking for some time, makes sense to dump a product in a shrinking market where your product makes up "other" in the pie chart...

I know it's not a popular idea, but I'd love to see MS put a mobile version of Office on Android's OS.

They could even start a MS Android Market so they wouldn't have to give a cut to Google...

 

[senseamp]

I like my Zune HD. But that said, I like my nook color more, and it was cheaper Optimus V is way cheaper and has a phone, gps and camera. Sort of hard to see where Zune type devices fit in going forward.

 

[MagickMan]

I wasn't aware that they were even still making the Zune.

 

[sjwaste]

I'd pay for the Zune software on Android. Just saying.

I paid $5 for PowerAMP, which is the closest thing to a good music app for Android. And it's still buggy.

 

[litttlechica]

I <3 my Zune and Zune Pass :-/ As long as the software is still around, though.

 

[QueBert]

Still need a decent capacity and a readable screen. iPod Nanos used to be the best for runners. Until they went to the current generation.

The 5G's still easy to find, there's nothing better for jogging. Nike + is super sick.

 

[charrison]

Still need a decent capacity and a readable screen. iPod Nanos used to be the best for runners. Until they went to the current generation.

I somewhat disagree. The gps on snartphones is pretty awesome for runners.

 

[charrison]

The 5G's still easy to find, there's nothing better for jogging. Nike + is super sick.

Unless you want gps data then it is not so slick. I stopped using my nike+ in favor of apps that offered more information. NIke+ was not even offering split times when I stopped using it.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I wonder how long until the Zune Pass is dead as well. It is the only reason I'm still using this 120gb Zune but that may change if I decide to get an iPhone anyway...

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2009/5/15/

This comic comes to mind.

 

[Malak]

I wonder how long until the Zune Pass is dead as well. It is the only reason I'm still using this 120gb Zune but that may change if I decide to get an iPhone anyway...

They might as well give up entirely if they ditch zune pass. It is the ONLY reason to get music from them. We will never see Zune on android. Microsoft doesn't play with others.

 

[jonks]

I gladly prefer mine to my phone to listen to music. One thing, doesn't drain my battery. Another is that the interface is actually made for music and has dedicated buttons, vs a phone having mainly a screen and the stock music player being a pain for me. That, I also can leave my Zune sitting in my car and not really care who sees it (older 30gb).

All true, but the convenience of not having to carry one extra device just for music wins out and dedicated mp3 players lose.