Steve Ballmer downplays Zune phone

No phone for Zune says Ballmer

(Credit: CNET Networks)

There's been much ado about the possibility of a Microsoft Zune cell phone lately, and Crave has joined the chorus of musings with several posts of our own. While a Microsoft exec said last year that such a device is a possibility, CEO Steve Ballmer wasn't so optimistic when he was asked that very question last week. "It's not a concept you'll ever get from us," Ballmer said while speaking at the University of Washington. "We're in the Windows Mobile business." While such comments obviously are open to interpretation, Ballmer went on to speculate (and may I say rather perceptively) what most people want from their cell phone. "A phone is really a general-purpose device," he said. "You want it to make telephone calls. You want to get and receive messages--text, e-mail, whatever your preference is." So is Ballmer pulling our leg? Give Crave your feedback below.

[Lee in San Diego]

That much is true

That a well designed and easy to use product is somethingt that <br />you would get from MicroSoft.

[close5828]

You're kidding, right?

Sadly, the same people who made a great product like the XBox 360 are responsible for the monstrosity that is the Zune.<br /><br />Let's see....sell it for the same price as an iPod, sell accessories for just as much (if not more than) the iPod, and put a wheel-shaped directional-pad that cannot rotate, and you tell me why the Zune is failing?! Money was spent on developing this thing...money was spent on people who were paid to develop it... ::shaking head::<br /><br />However, the Xbox 360 is polar-opposite of the Zune; it is powerful, high-def, Xbox live, etc. <br /><br />Pity that J Allard can't make an MP3 Player as good as the Xbox 360, despite being the PM for the Zune? :-\

[Sniche]

Steve Ballmer Zunephone unable to outdo iPhone

If modeled on Vista, it would take twice as long to make, would <br />cost four times much and would have to have SP1 added before it's <br />launch, but we havn't put it in the too hard basket yet.<br />love SB..