Microsoft to Kill Off Development of New Zune Hardware

[MacRumors]

Bloomberg reports that Microsoft is canceling future development of its line of Zune hardware devices, shifting the focus of Zune services to Windows Phone 7 smartphones.

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) will cease introducing new versions of the Zune music and video-player amid tepid demand, helping the company shift its focus to mobile phones, according to a person familiar with the decision.

The company will concentrate on putting Zune software onto mobile phones such as those running Microsoft's Windows operating system, said the person, who declined to be identified because the decision hasn't been announced.

First introduced in mid-2006 as an answer to Apple's successful iPod line, the first Zune devices debuted later that year but never achieved substantial share in an MP3 player market that continues to be dominated by the iPod.

The company will reportedly continue to sell existing Zune devices, but will no longer develop new hardware for the line.

Article Link: Microsoft to Kill Off Development of New Zune Hardware

 

[flopticalcube]

Makes sense. So long Zune...

 

[Horus]

About time!

 

[naroola]

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I guess their marketing slogan "Welcome to the Social" really translated to "Social Misfits"

 

[DeaconGraves]

Somewhere, a large man with several tatoos is weeping softly.

 

[NewYorkRanger]

Officially confirms that this was a really, really bad idea:

 

[AFPoster]

Who didn't see this coming? Microsoft is crashing...hard!!!

 

[iMacx]

Wow, and nobody could have seen this one coming. Proof that the demand is low: I've never even seen one!

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

What are we supposed to make fun of now?

Of course I guess just because the product is dead doesn't mean we can't keep making fun of ole' poo brown Zune.

Officially confirms that this was a really, really bad idea:

http://www.crunchgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/zune-tattoo.jpg

Nah, the icon itself is super cool. I'm sure the Zune is obscure enough that he can say that he designed the icon himself.

 

[dwman]

And so the Zune goes the way of the Kin. I think I saw one or two in the 5 years it's been out. What's this guy going to do now?? EDIT: Wow, weird timing that we both put up the same pic http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/gadgetlab/2009/09/zunefan.jpg

 

[QCassidy352]

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What took 'em so long?

 

[TomaxXamot]

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Yeah makes sense. Best for them to focus on Windows Phone 7 and possibly later release an iPod Touch like device you know, sans phone. Not that I don't think it won't also probably gain disappointing market share.

 

[malnar]

Wow, and nobody could have seen this one coming. Proof that the demand is low: I've never even seen one!

I have! One. ONE! A coworker has one. It's really nice, actually. A very worthy competitor to the Touch, but it is obviously totally overshadowed by anything Apple puts out and Microsoft doesn't seem to have a clue how to get behind something when it's not the top product in a category. I think this is really too bad.

 

[akm3]

Who didn't see this coming? Microsoft is crashing...hard!!!

I actually see this as a good thing for Microsoft. Like Apple did when Steve returned, they are cutting everything that doesn't make sense so they can focus on their strategy. Steve killed Newton and it got a lot of flak for Apple similar to this, but it was the right call.

Microsoft has it's toes in way too many pots. Figure out a strategy, pursue it, and ruthlessly cut everything else without succumbing to 'sunk cost' syndrome of throwing good money after bad money.

 

[iMacThere4Iam]

Ford Edsel, Sony Betamax, M$ Zune, Insert name here of any tablet that's not an iPad...

 

[ggbrown]

Wow, and nobody could have seen this one coming. Proof that the demand is low: I've never even seen one!

Concur. Never once saw a Zune.

I get the sense MS is scrambling to catch up. They are a software company, and Apple is a hardware & software company (and I'll concede in many cases hardware = gadgets). However,they are all driven by a few streams of software which they continue to improve upon.

 

[Full of Win]

Officially confirms that this was a really, really bad idea:

http://www.crunchgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/zune-tattoo.jpg

From what I understand, he is planning on going on a hunger strike in protest. I'm sure by 2015, Microsoft will have something to make him happy and allow him to eat again.

Please keep him in your thoughts today.

 

[Iconoclysm]

Who didn't see this coming? Microsoft is crashing...hard!!!

Continuing to make a product that isn't selling would be more likely to crash a company than to kill it off and move the service to products that are selling, no?

 

[BittenApple]

RIP Zune

 

[Iconoclysm]

Concur. Never once saw a Zune.

I get the sense MS is scrambling to catch up. They are a software company, and Apple is a hardware & software company (and I'll concede in many cases hardware = gadgets). However,they are all driven by a few streams of software which they continue to improve upon.

I wouldn't say scrambling, a company the size of Microsoft can't scramble if it tried. What is happening, though, is that after 10 years of focusing on the Enterprise, Microsoft is turning its eye back to the consumer space and is realigning its strategy.

 

[dejo]

The company will concentrate on putting Zune software onto mobile phones such as those running Microsoft's Windows operating system...

So, now Zune software is gonna compete with Windows Phone 7?

 

[50548]

So, now Zune software is gonna compete with Windows Phone 7?

Yep, together with MeeGo and Symbian...

 

[ucfgrad93]

Can't say that I'm surprised by this. Personally, I think Microsoft is just going through the motions when it comes to the music player business.

 

[7o7munoz7o7]

lol i didnt even know they have been making new lines.....i dont think i have ever seen a zune in real life, or know of any person even remotely interested in purchasing one....

 

[rwilliams]

I've always heard that the Zune was a good device, but Microsoft just did an abysmal job at marketing.