New Zune Literature

As the Zune concept is getting redesigned, the emphasis is on transitioning the Zune from a physical media player, to a software concept.  As such, it can be then added as software into existing products.  Two likely targets include the Xbox line, and Windows Mobile phones.  After all, Microsoft is at its heart a software company, and the hardware will always be a secondary endeavor to them.

They are envisioning, or shoudl I say reenvisioing the Zune as both a device and a service.  With the Zune able to play games, apparently they wish to port this ability to other devices of the Microsoft pantheon as well.  This became apparent at a McGraw Hill book summit with the release of a new title: Zune Game Development Using XNA 3.0.  While this may all sound like an intriguing development, I have to point out that I'm not quite sure that Xbox owners are clamoring to play Zune games on that platform.  Music, maybe, but portable games, well, no.  At any rate, it's nice to see some further developments of integrating the Zune further into other core Microsoft products.

Comments

[Paul VanderKlay]

I currently have a Blackberry, and at this point my next phone will likely also be a Blackberry. If Windows Mobile phones had Zune software on them so that I could use my Zune pass, I'd consider a Windows Mobile phone.

I don't think MS should just keep chasing Apple. If they want to compete with Touch and IPhone they're going to have to make up some serious ground ASAP with new hardware, apps store, etc. If they wanted to do that they shouldn't have downshifted on their hardware side but rather invested more. Their little WiMo 6.5 release hardly expressed a serious commitment to challenging Apple/Blackberry/Palm Pre.

Apple has put out a refresh on their Iphone and Touch once a year. MS is hardly cranking out the Zune improvements at light speed. If they leveraged their position with Xbox maybe they could compete but they certainly haven't shown that kind of muscle yet.

Right now the Zune Pass is a great product. I love the portability and value combined with the Zune player. If they broadened it to WiMo it could be great, but why are they dragging their feet?