Mobile/PDA About Us Advertise here


		User name	Password

		Not registered yet? Register here. Lost your password? Click here.

Browse by topic

News

Zune phone looks like a sure thing - unless it isn't

4 September 2007 18:11 by Rich "vurbal" Fiscus | 4 comments

A spokesman for Microsoft said on Tuesday that it's "not unreasonable" for the company to sell a mobile phone with the features of a Zune built in to compete with Apple's iPhone.

In light of Apple's relative success with the iPhone, there may be a huge market for phones with integrated mobile media players, but that doesn't necessarily mean a Zune based device would be a success. To date, the Zune hasn't had anything resembling the success of the iPod, so there's no reason to assume it would be a strong selling point for other devices.

So far Microsoft's mobile phone business has revolved around convincing handset manufacturers to use their Windows Mobile software, but that focus may be changing.

"It wouldn't be unreasonable to think at some point there might some integrated thing," Mindy Mount, chief financial officer of Microsoft's entertainment and devices division, told investors at Citigroup's global technology conference.

When the Zune was released last year the official stance was that a phone was definitely being planned, but earlier this year CEO Steve Ballmer stated that they would never try to create a Zune phone. He did, however suggest that similar functionality might be added to the Windows Mobile platform.

Sales of Windows Mobile licenses are likely to nearly double this fiscal year, with expected sales of more than 20 million copies.

Source: Reuters

Permalink to this article

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

New iPod announcement expected this week (4 September 2007)

CNN confirmed iPhone unlocking software (4 September 2007)

UBS: iPhone sales may top 800,000 units (23 August 2007)

Europe finally gets iPhone (22 August 2007)

iPhone users get digital books from HarperCollins (15 August 2007)

« Previous news article
Netflix streaming service gaining popularity

Next news article »
Philips developing smart PVR system

Post your comment

Discuss this article!
akaangus (Member) 4 September 2007 22:58
Yeah, a phone built on the name recognition, insane sales success and revered UI would be a huge success. Too bad Zune has none of those :D [ + quote]
ChromeMud (Junior Member) 6 September 2007 10:39
Well I hope for some competition from somebody because those prices for anything i-branded are just way too much IMO. [ + quote]
robertmro (Newbie) 7 September 2007 20:20
Another innovation form MS. [ + quote]
borhan9 (AfterDawn Addict) 10 September 2007 15:52
I gather this device will be so full of drm that you eventually wont be able to call your friend from anther network :P I wont like this cause i dont want my phone to be able to get a virus. [ + quote]