Microsoft in first meetings for Zune phone?
updated 11:00 am EDT, Thu July 24, 2008
MS Zune Phone Begins
Microsoft has held its first concrete meetings to design a Zune-branded cellphone, according to an unconfirmed but allegedly credible leak from jkOnTheRun. The device is well away from completion but is intended to use multi-touch input and would use a variant of Windows Mobile 7, Microsoft's first major overhaul to its smartphone platform since 2005. Windows Live services will be a major focus along with the Zune's emphasis on media playback.
Little else is known about the device, although Microsoft has made multi-touch a focus of Windows 7 on the desktop and is believed to be doing the same for Windows Mobile 7 along with a revamped interface and support for motion sensing. The software is tentatively scheduled to arrive in the second half of 2009 and would line up with Microsoft's historical tendency to develop Zune devices over the course of one year.
The company has publicly denied plans to produce a Zune phone but has described the existing Zune line and store as 'investments' for a future strategy while claiming that it would focus only on improving Windows Mobile for hardware partners. However, the company developed its PlaysForSure initiative for Windows Media-based online music stores only to introduce the proprietary Zune Marketplace in late 2006, which resulted in the end of both Microsoft's own MSN Music and the URGE store run with help from MTV.
A buyout of Danger earlier this year has also raised interest in Microsoft's plans, as the Sidekick designer is best known for developing media- and messaging-oriented mobile software as well as informing the development of matching hardware.
Heh...
07/24, 11:07am reply
Don't laser those Zune tattoos off just yet, Zune tattoo guy!
phillymjs
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Joined: Jun 2000
Heh...
07/24, 11:09am reply
Don't laser those Zune tattoos off just yet, Zune tattoo guy! LOL
phillymjs
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Joined: Jun 2000
I dont get it
07/24, 11:34am reply
The zune is failing. Yes, even the tatoo guy is bailing, so why does MS want to build a zune phone?
Someone once said that MS copies what others make and then works/ pushes the product till people start using it (example IE). It seems the same is going on here with the ipod/iphone - but Apples making revisions so fast that MS cant keep up?
tkmd
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Joined: Oct 2001
I dont get it
07/24, 11:34am reply
The zune is failing. Yes, even the tatoo guy is bailing, so why does MS want to build a zune phone?
Someone once said that MS copies what others make and then works/ pushes the product till people start using it (example IE). It seems the same is going on here with the ipod/iphone - but Apples making revisions so fast that MS cant keep up?
tkmd
Grizzled Veteran
Joined: Oct 2001
Start your Copiers
07/24, 11:40am reply
Seriously, does M$ have any creative talent what so ever.
slider
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Joined: Oct 1999
Redmond,
07/24, 11:44am reply
start your copiers!
(so good it had to be said again)
climacs
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Joined: Sep 2001
Why even make it
07/24, 11:53am (1 reply) reply
Whats the purpose of this stuff? Why do they need to get their tentacles on everything Apple does?
slapppy
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Joined: Mar 2008
@slapppy
07/24, 12:11pm reply
Whats the purpose of this stuff? Why do they need to get their tentacles on everything Apple does?
because they have no original ideas of their own.
This has been another edition of Simple Answers to Simple Questions.
climacs
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Joined: Sep 2001
Colors???
07/24, 12:15pm reply
The only question now is......
Will it come in t***-Brick Brown?
jhawk95
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Joined: Oct 2006
IPhone Killer
07/24, 12:16pm (1 reply) reply
The ZunePhone will be a IPhone Killer. M$ will change the way Smarphones are used Worldwide, the Phenomenal Success of M$ recent Products (XBox, Live, Zune, Vista, On Line Search, should sound the Alarm to Cell Phone, MP3 and Smart Phone Power Brokers everywhere. The design and software teams are second to none in Creating and Designing Products that are Revolutionary, Go Microsoft, The Line Starts Now.
Kappa
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