MS Denies Zune Phone

Microsoft won't produce a Zune-branded cellphone, company CEO Steve Ballmer has told inquisitive journalists. The executive suggested that the idea of grafting phone functions on to its recent music player was impractical and would be better-served by adding the interface to Windows Mobile, which is more universal and adaptable to special controls.

"It's not a concept you'll ever get from us. We're in the Windows Mobile business," he said. "We can put Zune into Windows Mobile, we can put Xbox into Windows Mobile. We can pour everything in."

The observation all but quashes Zune phone rumors, which had the Redmond-based company developing a communicator explicitly based on the Zune jukebox for release late this year. It also validates doubts that separate FCC and patent filings are related to the player, suggesting that they instead cover theoretical devices or alternate products. [via WMExperts]

By Electronista Staff