Ballmer: Zune coming to Windows Mobile
Updated 3:45 p.m. PDT, with additional Microsoft comment.
Microsoft has indicated for some time that it sees a Zune future in the cell phone arena, but the company has been hard to pin down on just what its plans there are.
There would seem to be two main scenarios--the rumored ZunePhone, or just making Zune software for Windows Mobile or other phone operating systems. A magazine interview with CEO Steve Ballmer suggests that Microsoft at least plans the latter approach.
Asked why the Zune is important to Microsoft, Ballmer told the magazine that it was about more than just the device itself.
"Now, we built the Zune hardware with the Zune software--and what you'll see more and more over time is that the Zune software will also be ported to and be more important not just with the hardware but on the PC, on Windows Mobile devices, etc.," Ballmer said.
Asked for clarification, a Microsoft representative provided the following statement.
"We've always said that software and services is a key focal point for Zune and it does make sense to extend the Zune experience to other devices," the representative said. "In terms of specific timing we have nothing to announce at the moment."
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina. 
I'm pretty sure you know he meant about their approach. Not how long they've been in the business. But if I was in Microsofts' shoes, and saw the success of Apples approach, I would copy it to. It makes sense.
Look, the industry knows that Apple has a tendency to get things right, in their approaches on how they believe things could be done better. Of course this isn't always the case, but most of the time it is. This is the real reason why there is so much attention paid to their announcements. Not hype, not magic, but a new idea, or an old idea looked at from a different angle.
The 'hype' comments all came about as a result of propaganda against Apple. Apple doesn't convince the heads of industries to look at them through mind-control, they do it with an approach that exudes elegance. It sure doesn't hurt to have a CEO who can present these things with eloquence as well.
Hey, kiddies -point us to a phone+music hardware solution involving Windows Mobile, please.
Oh, wait, that's right -you can't.
*snicker*
/P
Do you mean Windows Media Player Mobile? You mean that phone and music player solution?
Is it an iPod or an iPhone? No, but its out there and has been part of the offering since 2000.
Let me guess, for some reason, it doesn't count.
What do you mean "anymore".
There never was. They are just a bad version of apple, netscape, google, unix, etc.
There biggest strength was tying their stuff together.
MS in every article has in fact always done exactly the opposite - although personally I'd been wanting them to extend Zune to other devices, they've always vehemently denied they would ever do this and were not going to be doing it in the future....
This is definitely a 360 degree turn,....Zune subscription pass on a mobile Zune device...mmm...that'd definitely change things...
Are companies not allowed to change their minds? Are they not afforded the same priviledge we extend to our politicians?
Give me a break, fanboys!
Making the Zune software run on non-Microsoft hardware is indeed a smart descision as far as MS is concerned. They will be able to sell more WinMO licenses this way, _AND_ compete with apple with their "Windows without walls" campaign, illustrating that MS software works on any hardware and you don't _have_ to stick to a proprietery hardware device.
Smart, and definitely a game changer in my opinion.
"other devices".
Zune for Xbox, anybody?
This is amazing , that on such a bad day for the NASDAQ , MSFT did so well. It speaks VOLUMES to the core strength of MSFT and the weakness of AAPL.
And Apple`s dropping the NDA is a panic move after they realized how well the new Androids are going to do. Win Mo , Android and others are poised to take market share from Apple , esp. with the economic downturn.
If you wrap a piece of crap with a pretty shinny paper at the end of the day you still end up with a piece of Crap.
IE Windows Vista®
MSFT has remained basically unchanged during a horrible week for AAPL and tech in general.
This speaks much louder than the windbag in Cupertino can during his "everything Apple is wonderful" slideshows at the Moscone center and such. MSFT has "got game"
AAPL $40 ? LOL
- by elllroy October 3, 2008 9:02 AM PDT
- the business model of windows mobile is fundamentally flawed. which handsetmaker will go on paying redmond a $15 licence a piece if they can get android and soon symbian 60 for free? if micorosft doesn't want to leave the sector alltogether they have to follow their vertical xbox and zune business model and offer a zune-phone. there will be no money in the phone software space. only in hardware. (plays for sure anyone?) and yes that means - once again - following apple's lead (how about the skymarket).
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