With Microsoft Zune conspicuously absent from the Redmond company lovefest with Nokia last week, the Microsofties are abuzz that can be resolved by the company Apple iPod on its way out. Paul Thurrott noticed that the company has talked about virtually every service but Microsoft Zune at the Nokia Press Conference; Mary Jo Foley was later with a declaration of a spokesperson for Microsoft, which seemed to only raise even more questions.
"We are not ' killing ' any of the services/Zune functionality in any way. Microsoft remains committed to providing a great music and video experience by Zune on platforms such as Xbox LIVE, Windows-based PC, Zune devices and Windows phone 7, and integration with Bing and MSN. "
The emphasis of this statement seems to be the platform, not necessarily the device--and ultimately, can we really blame Microsoft? After all, the device is unable to generate a lot of buzz out of users of Microsoft-based computer. While "social" has had good intentions, it was useless to everyone, but because without sharing with users, what is the signature feature of the Zune?
I said for awhile (and here, too) that its a waste of money for Microsoft continue to take on Apple's iPod ecosystem with a reader on its own initiative. Having said this, embed Zune platform further offers of success (Windows Live, Xbox, etc.) is a good thing. Perhaps this is what the future holds for the brand.
Microsofties also need to be honest with yourself: writing was on the wall on Zune for years. No amount of advertising budgets whizbang feature, Sophistic or reorganizations are going to save the player itself. There is a House for Zune, but not in its current form.
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