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."

[Thomas, David]

ahhhhh. yep.

[bobyoung1000]

Why are we not surprise. Microsoft is following another one of Apple footstep in the phone business...Is there no original idea coming out of Redmond anymore ?.

[DrtyDogg]

FYI MS has been in the phone industry for many years.

[Thomas, David]

@DrtyDogg<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.

[rinedog]

I love the Apple did everything first comments. Microsoft has been in the mobile phone business for a lot longer than Apple. Have you ever heard of Windows Mobile or Pocket PC before that?

[Penguinisto]

I love how the MSFT cheerleading squad tries to be all disingenuous... <br /> <br />Hey, kiddies -point us to a phone+music hardware solution involving Windows Mobile, please. <br /> <br />Oh, wait, that's right -you can't. <br /> <br />*snicker* <br /> <br />/P

[rapier1]

Penguinisto, <br /> <br />Do you mean Windows Media Player Mobile? You mean that phone and music player solution? <br />Is it an iPod or an iPhone? No, but its out there and has been part of the offering since 2000. <br /> <br />Let me guess, for some reason, it doesn't count.

[t8]

"Is there no original idea coming out of Redmond anymore ?<br /><br />What do you mean "anymore".<br /><br />There never was. They are just a bad version of apple, netscape, google, unix, etc.<br /><br />There biggest strength was tying their stuff together.

[Penguinisto]

well I'll be damned - so they did have a mobile media player... so why has it been so quiet?

[DrtyDogg]

It is not quiet on my phone, I've been using it for years, with stereo bluetooth.

[DrtyDogg]

@Thomas, David - I'm not sure what approach you are talking about. There where absolutely no specifics in the interview.

[Seaspray0]

Penquisto, it's been quiet because you and others like you only see what you want to see. That way you can claim nothing original comes out of redmond. If you would actually take off those blinders and look for yourself, you would see a different story. Its time you discovered the whole truth.

[shetaan819]

"Microsoft has indicated for some time that it sees a Zune future in the cell phone arena" - are you kidding??! <br /> <br />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.... <br /> <br />This is definitely a 360 degree turn,....Zune subscription pass on a mobile Zune device...mmm...that'd definitely change things...

[rapier1]

Well, they have said that they see the zune environment on other devices than the zune pmp. I agree though, they have never come out and said that they were pursuing the cell phone market. Realistically though, mostly this is just going to be a matter of porting the zune software to the windows mobile and hooking it into the marketplace.

[pinoyinseattle]

You mean a 180 turn right? 360 will get you to the same place and just get you dizzied up from the turn. <br /> <br />Are companies not allowed to change their minds? Are they not afforded the same priviledge we extend to our politicians?

[walletless]

Yes... making the mp3 software work on non-proprietery idea sure sounds like it is copied from Apple. <br /> <br />Give me a break, fanboys!

[expatincebu]

So MS copies a popular mp3 player and makes a crappy unpopular version of it. Now they plan to follow up that success with a phone! ROTFLMAO!

[walletless]

boboyoung1000 - copied from Apple business model? Really? Since when does iPod software run on non-Apple hardware? Not that I know of. And I don't think Apple will EVER want to do this since they want to make money for the hardware AND the software. <br /> <br />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. <br /> <br />Smart, and definitely a game changer in my opinion.

[-fjtorres-]

Folks are ignoring the *third* clause in the statement... <br />"other devices". <br />Zune for Xbox, anybody?

[Mr. Dee]

Everything goes back to the Ecosystem for Microsoft. I hope with Media Player 12 in Windows 7 they make Zune support native.

[AppleSuxLeo]

And in a related note...Panic comes to AAPL , as it dropped $9 more right after Nokia anounced new phones and music service in Europe. On the same day AAPL tanked , MSFT was basically unchanged. <br />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. <br />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.

[eltoro2827]

android is a piece of crap so are iphones.

[Seaspray0]

Based on what? Like you've even used an iphone? Android hasn't even been made available to the masses yet. Stop spouting garbage and stick to the facts. Oh wait, you don't know any.

[Alex Alexzander]

I'm a zune user, so this is good news for me. I also have a Moto Q. I think this is a fantastic and simple idea. Allowing all those Win Mobile users, regardless of device, this option is a great. Sure beats all those (1) choices you get from Apple. ;)

[vmlenigma]

Anyone remember that Piece of Crap software called BOB from Microsoft?<br />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.<br /><br />IE Windows Vista®

[AppleSuxLeo]

Newton ? Lisa ? iToons ? LOL

[maverick_nick]

I always find it hilarious how Apple fanboys think that everything Microsoft does, it's simply copying Apple. Get a reality check boys! Microsoft is a far superior company, and creates far superior technology. The iPhone is a non-issue for Microsoft, because everyone who knows anything knows that Windows Mobile is far ahead in capability. The only thing that the iPhone has going for it is aesthetics. Once Windows Mobile 7.0 is launched, you'll realize how much better WM really is.

[gribtt_dotmac]

Really!! Windows Mobile is losing market share and is not close to the #1 mobile platform. Symbian, RIM, and Apple all have a higher market share that Windows Mobile. The sad part is that Windows Mobile has been on the market far longer than Apple's offering. Too bad the consumers just can't see how superior their technology is.

[goodspeed8701]

M$ is making their product more accessible and giving us the choice to choose what ever we like. i may like the osx but i dont like the mac it runs in. but i dont like anything apple by the way cos i pay money for it and i still get to share it with them cos they still own it so M$ is based on freewill apple is based on POD (prisoner of device) M$ rocks.

[AppleSuxLeo]

AAPL has lost about 40 Billion in market Cap. in one week ! OUCH ! snicker , snicker <br />MSFT has remained basically unchanged during a horrible week for AAPL and tech in general. <br />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" <br />AAPL $40 ? LOL

[elllroy]

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).