Microsoft planning a Zune-centric entertainment store?

The Zune hearts content, but how many people heart the Zune?

(Credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft may be putting together an "entertainment marketplace" tentatively named Zune VideoX, ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley reported Wednesday. In other words, it's yet another digital content store trying to take a bite out of Apple's iTunes.

Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president of Microsoft's Devices and Entertainment eHome division, is reportedly spearheading the project. But it goes without saying that as with any of these "iTunes killers" that seem to pop up like mushrooms after rain, well, it's going to be an uphill battle even for Redmond.

Creating a solid digital download store is something that Microsoft has tried repeatedly, and hasn't gotten right yet. Its Zune Marketplace hasn't exactly been a resounding success. There has also been chatter about something called "eLive," a marketplace of digital download content--music, video, games--for Zune digital media players, Windows-based PCs, Xbox gaming consoles, and Windows Mobile smartphones.

"eLive was renamed and recrafted to Zune VideoX," a source told Foley, "and the eLive vision scaled down to focus on Zune." Really? That's too bad. The Xbox has been a much more resounding success than the Zune, and it already has the successful Xbox Live Marketplace as a starting point.

That said, there's reportedly a third-generation Zune coming next year. And on another note, can somebody please outlaw the term "iTunes killer?"

[HooHaa]

Giggle. More Epic Fail.

[Zunemusix]

I hope this story is true I would love to pick up some videos for my Zune

[pchow98]

I picked up a Zune last Fall on a whim after being a somewhat satisfied customer of the iPod. I have to say, after the Zune 2.x sottware/firmware upgrade on my 30GB Zune, I am really loving it and will not be going back to Apple anytime soon. The podcasting management software is better than iTunes and I don't have to be forced to download Safari! You know, there should be people (I do mean flesh+blood type) protesting outside of Apple HQ for this level of hijacking event. If Microsoft did something a quarter as detestable as that, there will be blood on the streeets and the tech pundits and mainline 'talking heads' will be parotting the same.
Anyway, I think people should give the Zune a try and not be such lemmings!

[wynand32]

I have to chime in here as well. I recently bought a Zune 80GB, essentially because the idea of paying so much for a 16GB player (cough**iPlod Touchie**cough) was simply untenable. I paid $249 for vastly greater storage, as good or better of a screen, a user-friendly interface (that I can operate easily without looking at the screen), and better overall codec support. And, I can access a subscription service, which I prefer.

The Zune is a great player. If people would get off of their anti-Microsoft kick, they might learn something new.

[LunarFlame17]

I don't really care if the Zune ever beats the iPod or not. I just hope Microsoft makes enough money off of it to keep supporting it, cause I love it.