Flash Zunes Gone From Zune Store: What Gives?

[Adam Krebs]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='https://zunestore.net/us/catalog/Devices.aspx' target='_blank'>https://zunestore.net/us/catalog/Devices.aspx</a><br /><br /></div><p>"<em>Looks like the rising tide of Zune HD news has taken some casualties along the way: Microsoft's official Zune store no longer lists any flash players at all, leaving just the Zune 80 and Zune 120 to hold things down while we wait for the next generation.</em>"</p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/zt/auto/1250017268.usr495.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></p><p>What's up with this? Amazon, Best Buy, et. al still appear to have them in stock, but the Zune Store (and consequently Zune Originals) show no love for the flash versions of the player. Could a refresh on the lower end Zune be in the cards? I certainly hope so.&nbsp;The Zune Store page is certainly looking lonely.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>UPDATE</strong>: And... they're back? Apparently these little guys have some life in them yet. At least until <a href="http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/f9/colourful-zunes-coming-zune-originals-september-15th-94806.html" target="_blank">September 15</a>.&nbsp;</p>

[Adam Krebs]

Seems they're still up here: http://www.zune.net/en-US/mp3players/default.htm, and clicking the buy link goes through to the Microsoft store. Oversight?

[Ranger_000]

...evidenced by Microsoft's plan to discontinue its current line of low-priced Flash memory-based Zunes (http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/mp3-players/microsoft-zune-third-generation/4505-6490_7-33259283.html) (priced between $99-$199) while retaining its hard-drive-based model (http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/mp3-players/microsoft-zune-120gb-third/4505-6490_7-33259222.html) ($249)...

as per CNET...

http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-players/zune-hd/4505-6490_7-33665869.html?tag=mncol;lst

[Jason Dunn]

...evidenced by Microsoft's plan to discontinue its current line of low-priced Flash memory-based Zunes (http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/mp3-players/microsoft-zune-third-generation/4505-6490_7-33259283.html) (priced between $99-$199) while retaining its hard-drive-based model (http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/mp3-players/microsoft-zune-120gb-third/4505-6490_7-33259222.html) ($249)...

< sigh > I was really hoping the Zune team would re-consider this move and I was among many who gave them feedback to that point, but it looks like they went ahead and did it anyway. Not that I'm surprised mind you, but not everyone out there wants a physically large MP3 player. I want the Zune to move into more, not fewer, form factors. The Zune HD isn't the kind of MP3 player you're going to take with you to the gym for instance...why completely abandon that market?

[flooder]

Interesting . . . There are 3 Zunes in my household and I also have several friends with Zunes. We all have flash models. None of us are in the market for video playing devices. We want to listen to music/audiobooks/podcasts.

I don't understand why Microsoft would move away from small devices. We all don't want a huge device.