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Zune mobile phones coming September 15, 2006 [General] | By Edward J. R. Zune, Xbox and Windows Mobile may be grouped together in the same super-division of Microsoft, but inter-departmental synergies are almost non-existing, zero, almost nothing. Microsoft employees from various departments may like each other on personal level but they don't cooperate professionally, what results in major mistakes. Yesterday Microsoft has launched (announced) Zune - a media player with built-in Wi-Fi and FM radio, but... ... "Zune Marketplace" (not compatible with previous Microsoft's "standards" like PlaysForSure) for audio and video downloads will be available only for Zune players, not for Windows Mobile. Releasing a Zune Marketplace client software for Windows Mobile certainly would not be a big problem. It is yet not clear whether Microsoft repeats with Zune huge mistake that Microsoft committed in case of Portable Media Center (PMC - old generation Microsoft playrs) devices: lack of ability to run 3rd party software. It is also yet not clear whether Zune will have podcast downloading client installed in it. However it is already clear that Microsoft's departments are not working with each other because instead of adding Zune compatibility to Windows Mobile phones, Microsoft will be launching mobile phones based on Zune platform: A Zune phone is definitely part of the future of this brand," Chris Stephenson, general manager of global marketing for Zune, told reporters at a news conference. He did not give specific details. [...] "We're definitely talking to the studios about video. We recognize that it's an important part of this product going forward," said Stephenson. To read more click here. Conclusion: still too many questions are open but it looks like Windows Mobile phones will not benefit from Zune at all! It is pity because all the features that Zune provides, including peer-to-peer file sharing over Wi-Fi from device to device, can be easily implemented on many Windows Mobile phones. One is for sure: Apple iPod is a huge success - over 75% of global market share in media players - mainly due to stylish design and combination of devices with iTunes service - and Microsoft cannot ignore it any longer, so instead of pumping down some Windows Mobile devices, Microsoft launched its own media player that will compete with Apple mainly in the area of hardware features - built-in Wi-Fi, FM radio. Interestingly soon (no pun intended) Nokia and Sony Ericsson (that is releasing Walkman mobile phones) will have to face new competition from Microsoft, but it will not be just Windows Mobile phones, but also new kid on the block: Zune mobile phones!  Post your comment (free registration is required to post, but if you register you can edit your posts later) [ 3 Comments ]
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