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Reports: Microsoft Killing Zune Hardware

by James Plafke | 5:43 pm, March 14th, 2011

According to reports, Microsoft’s attempted answer to Apple’s iPod, the Zune, is being discontinued. Like with Nokia’s old N-Gage hardware, the Zune isn’t being entirely discontinued, though, as it lives on in software form across various lines of mobile phones and other devices. Bloomberg News tech reporter Dina Bass Tweets that the hardware is being killed off, Microsoft watcher Paul Thurrott reports the same,  and coupled with this article from a month ago regarding Microsoft and Nokia’s partnership, which mentions how the future of the Zune was mysteriously left out of Microsoft and Nokia’s future plans, it seems the Zune has finally passed on.

WinRumors asked Microsoft about the reports regarding the Zune being discontinued, to which they responded:

“We have nothing to announce about another Zune device – but most recently have introduced Zune HD to Canada via Zune Originals store and remain committed to supporting our devices in North America. We are thrilled by the consumer excitement for Zune across many new platforms, including Windows Phone 7 and Xbox 360. Our long-term strategy focuses on the strength of the entire Zune ecosystem across Microsoft platforms.”

At least Microsoft’s answer to the iPod will be living on in software spirit with its N-Gage brethren.

(via The Next Web)

  • http://twitter.com/Terrormaster Terrormaster

    This is a sad day indeed. As an owner of an iPod Nano, an iTouch, and a Zune HD I can say with all honesty the Zune HD has the most intuitive UI out of all 3 devices. The Nano is in my desk collecting dust and the iTouch is in possession of my 8yr old. They’ll have to pry my Zune HD from my cold dead fingers – it’s the best PMP I’ve owned hands down.

    Now the Zune software? HIGHLY unintuitive and absolute rubbish! My only hope is that one day they’ll get Media Monkey working in full with the Zune HD.

  • Senor Chang

    The tweets are from a writer at BLOOMBERG, not an MS employee.

    MS has since come back with a statement saying the news is basically false,
    http://anythingbutipod.com/2011/03/zune-is-not-dead/

    “Here’s what you should know – ALL consumer electronics products have a lifespan, and the Zune HD is 18mo old. We were completely frank about this year’s Zune hardware being the WP7 phones, and we continue to both sell and fully support the Zune HD line of products. And as I’ve promised – we continue to bring new apps and games to the platform. More of those are in the works, I promise you.

    I manage business development for Zune hardware, and I still have that job. Our PR folks released a statement today that included the text: “We’ll share more information about the evolution of the Zune entertainment service and Zune hardware as future plans develop.”

    To be 100% clear – NO information about our future plans, no matter what the incarnation, has been shared. Until then treat with healthy skepticism anything you read. That’s probably a good general rule actually.

    So for those who tweeted or emailed asking what I’m “going to do now” – I’ll be going to work tomorrow, working on Zune hardware bizdev. And when Microsoft announces news that is actually news, you’ll hear it from us directly, and I’ll be sure to pass it on immediately. Only then should you take it as gospel.”

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/K-Allan-Ward-MD/660882168 K Allan Ward MD

    we have 3 zunes:  2 old 80s and a 16 HD…  I am wondering about getting a few 64 HDs… if the zune pass will continue???  


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