Microsoft finally ready to flush Zune?
Friday, January 09, 2009 - 12:31 PM EST
In a report by Richard Waters for The Financial Times, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer appears to cast considerable doubt on the future of the company's Zune debacle.
Waters reports, "Mr Ballmer seemed all but ready to throw in the towel on the Zune mobile device, which has failed to gain ground on Apple’s iPod. But he suggested that the focus of competition in digital media was moving onto ground that Microsoft understands well: software."
"He said that, with the market for dedicated portable media players in decline, the future lay in more 'general purpose' devices – such as Apple’s iPhone and touch," Waters reports.
"Asked if Microsoft would counter with a 'Zune Phone,' Mr Ballmer said: 'You should not anticipate that.' He added that the company would stick to its strategy of developing software to support a range of mobile devices," Waters reports. "That suggests that, if there is a future for Zune, it lies in planting the software and online service linked to the player in other devices."
Full article here.


In other Zune news, Consumerist.com published this story on Monday about a woman who returned her $400 custom Zune to Microsoft for repair, who then basically blew her off for three months, and then lost the Zune.