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Microsoft exec hints at additions to Zune line

30 July 2007 15:45 by Rich "vurbal" Fiscus | 3 comments

Microsoft hasn't divulged detailed plans for the next release of its Zune music player, but a company executive last week offered hints that seem to support reports that a flash memory-based Zune and an 80GB device could be in the works.

At its annual financial analyst meeting last week, Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division, said Microsoft plans to "broaden" the Zune brand with new styles, capacity sizes, and price points as well as new features, though he did not reveal the timing of releases or exact product specifications.

Several device-centric blogs, including Zune Scene, Whiz Byte, Gadgetell, and others reported that an 80GB Zune code-named Scorpio and a flash memory-based Zune code-named Draco are currently in the works.

Zune Scene also has reported a production snag that could delay the release of the Scorpio device. According to a post on the blog late last week, the production schedule of Scorpio has been delayed due to problems with wiring. The blog also said that production on Scorpio was expected to be completed on Aug. 31 but has now been pushed back to September.

While Microsoft publicly remains optimistic about Zune's ability to compete against the iPod and other MP3 players, sources close to the company report that some inside Microsoft feel that Zune should be scrapped because it is not worth the company's investment. Microsoft said it has shipped more than 1.2 million Zune units since the product was released in November 2006, but consumers still overwhelmingly prefer Apple's iPod devices as their choice of multimedia player. Apple sold 9.8 million iPods in its quarter ended June 30th.

Source: Yahoo News

Permalink to this article

Microsoft drops Zune price by $50 (4 September 2007)

Judge overturns $1.5bn lawsuit in favor of Microsoft (7 August 2007)

16GB flash iPod video coming? (5 August 2007)

New trojan deletes your music (4 August 2007)

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vinny13 (Inactive) 30 July 2007 20:35
coughcoughIpod Video...coughNano...coughcoughcough* Who the hell wants a brown Zune? [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 30 July 2007 20:37
borhan9 (AfterDawn Addict) 30 July 2007 22:35
The problem Microsoft's Zune player is having is nothing extraodinary its like any other competitor in the market trying to get a piece of the pie when Apple has a big portion of the Apple Pie ;) Give it time and the Zune will get its own niche but if Microsoft is waiting for it to beat Apple's Ipod they are dreaming and should be happy if they get a small percentage of the pie. [ + quote]
Unfocused (Member) 14 August 2007 17:19
@Vinny13 Well, brown is the color of shit... [ + quote]