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View Full Version : How Will Zune Evolve?


David Tucker
10-08-2009, 03:00 PM
<p><em>"Microsoft is considering whether it should port the Zune software and services to other platforms, including Apple&rsquo;s. There&rsquo;s no guarantee that the Redmondians will end up doing this - or timetable as to when this could happen - but it&rsquo;s one of many strategies under active consideration. That&rsquo;s what I heard today from Jose Pinero, Director of Communications for Microsoft&rsquo;s TV, Video and Music Business. I had a chance to chat with Pinero at Microsoft&rsquo;s consumer open-house showcase in New York on October 6." </em></p><p>Going along with the news of a definite Microsoft commitment to putting the Zune platform on Windows phones, <a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=4157" target="_blank">this article at ZDNet </a>is even more interesting. Microsoft would be willing, going forward to support other platforms, including Apple. What exactly does that mean? Just Zune software on the Mac? Apparently not! Microsoft even is thinking in terms of direct iPod support. Now I don't know if that's realistic or not but its something they have on the table.</p><p>The bigger picture you get from this article is Microsoft's view of what the Zune platform is to their business. Zune has always been somewhat strange for Microsoft. They tend to build ecosystems for others to play in. Even the XBox follows that mold since a game system, by default, needs broad support from game publishers to survive and thrive. The Zune though has been Microsoft's closed platform. Microsoft controls the entire experience from end to end.</p><p>But that's not how they view the Zune platform internally, according to this article. Zune is viewed as their media platform for their entire product line. They're not talking about the players either. They're talking about the whole Zune experience. Could this mean Microsoft eventually licensing out the mobile platform? After Plays For Sure I'm not sure how many would jump on that.</p><p>It will be interesting to see where it goes. With the Zune set to make an appearance eventually on Windows phones, that will certainly give an instantly broader market and really that would be the first real challenge to iPod/iPhone dominance because that platform is widespread enough to compete already. Many people are happy to carry one device around and I could see that more than anything causing some erosion in the DMP market.</p>

Phillip Dyson
10-14-2009, 01:34 AM
I posted a similar response in another thread but I'll repeat it here.
I just don't trust where the Zune HD might be going. Don't get me wrong, I really like what they've done so far, and its highly likely I'll be picking one up early next year. I just don't know if they will take it all the way.

My company just announced that they're rolling out an iPhone application and it was a good idea. Then I got to thinking, am I going to be missing out on this type of innovation?

Maybe I should consider the itunes ecosystem. But that and a Zune?

I hope my skepticism turns out to be unfounded. I'm really pulling for the Zune ecosystem.

Can I get an ebook reader (supporting ePub and Ereader) and an Audiobook player that supports bookmarks and chapter navigation? If I just go those I'd be happy.

I have zero use for a Twitter or Facebook client.