More evidence of the Zune Phone?
updated 04:05 pm EDT, Thu April 19, 2007
More Zune Phone evidence
The long-rumored Zune Phone has received a bit more supporting evidence in the form of another Microsoft filing, this time at the US Patent Office. While originally submitted June 16th of last year, it has only just resurfaced, and comes under the title of "Tile Space User Interface for Mobile Devices." The concept involves making frequently accessed options more easily reached, and receiving updates on information simply by glancing at the appropriate icon. Users would also able to customize the layout of the tiles, creating a unique "home" screen.
Supporting the notion that the patent applies to an original product are two factors. The first is the general suitability of the interface: while a number of smartphones do use elongated screens, the Zune's screen is larger and longer, and so is better suited to displaying useful data in icons. The second is Windows Mobile 6 -- with the OS having only just released a few months ago, it is unlikely that Microsoft would be ready to overhaul what it sells to third parties. [via Mad 4 Mobile Phones]
Zzzzzzune Phone
04/19, 07:07pm reply
is there ANYTHING Apple does that Microsoft won't steal?
climacs
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Joined: Sep 2001
Corny
04/19, 10:12pm reply
Why is microsoft so corny.
hassanpr
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Joined: Aug 2004
long rumored?!?
04/19, 10:30pm reply
i hardly think the zune phone has been "long rumored", the device has only been out for what, 5 months?!? we'd been talking about an iPod phone for 2 years or so. now that's a long time to wait for a rumor to come true!
scottnichol
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Joined: Oct 1999
Huh?
04/20, 09:10am reply
Oh god... is this going to be labled the "iPhone Killer"? The one thing that most forget to consider is that Apple has a league of devoted fans who will buy anything that Apple comes out with. If MS Does release a zune phone, it most certainly won't come out before the iPhone. And surveys are showing that people are anticipating the phone (Even those who wouldn't consider buying a mac). What would be interesting is if they made the Zune phone mac-compatable and gave it a low (Sub $200) price tag. However, I still wouldn't buy it :D
cwinnipeg
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Joined: Dec 2006
@resuna
04/23, 06:14am reply
Hey resuna,
good arguments, next time some stuff-shirt beaurocrat starts talking about iPods giving a lack of choice, you should track them down and send them that email, maybe then we could get them to shut up?
chucker
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Joined: Mar 2007