Microsoft Says Zune HD NOT Dead (Again)
It's been a roller coaster ride for the Zune HD player over the last two days, and as of this writing, it's alive once again.
Monday brought reports that Microsoft planned to discontinue the Zune HD line after its product page was removed from the official Zune website. But then Microsoft Zune team member Michael Yaeger said that it was a mistake, that the Zune HD page wasn't supposed to be removed, and then quickly powered up the product listing once again.
Then on Tuesday, Microsoft said that it had indeed officially killed off its Zune HD line after five years of production, and that the company will instead focus on Windows Phone. "So what does this mean for our current Zune users? Absolutely nothing," the company said via a support page on Zune.net that has since been removed. "Your device will continue to work with Zune services just as it does today."
Microsoft even said it would honor all warranties and continue customer service. "And we will continue to honor the warranties of all devices for both current owners and those who buy our very last devices," Microsoft added." Customer service has been, and will remain a top priority for us."
So as of Tuesday night, the Zune HD was seemingly dead and then brought back to life, and then officially nuked again in favor of Windows Phone. With us so far? Good. Now here's the kicker: Zune is not dead... at least, not yet. Like the Zune HD mistake on Monday, the support page outlining Zune's death -- the one that's no longer live -- was also a "mistake."
Naturally there's speculation that the Zune HD line will eventually be killed off, and that these "mistakes" were actual publications/non-publications that went into effect at the wrong time. Still, according to the Redmond company, they will continue to support the Zune HD hardware despite rumors and support pages that apparently don't exist.
"No official info has been released stating hardware is being discontinued,” said Microsoft's official Zune support team via Twitter.
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Really, "mistakes"? What a joke.
Okay Microsoft this has to got to stop. If you're going to keep it alive, then at least refresh the damn thing. If you killed it once, then leave it that way!
This haphazard product management isn't going to encourage anyone to make a long-term investment in Zune hardware at anything more than fire-sale/clearance prices.
Next article: Apple says Steve Jobs NOT Dead
Kevin,
What are MS doing? I have the screenshots of the original MS uploaded "Death" page for the Zune Hardware - and their ZuneSupport tweet to me confirming the mistake with my coverage here:
http://www.wpdownunder.com/?p=2743
Bit of a mess really.
Sheeds.
LOL, just goes to show that MS never quite knew what to do with the thing. Too bad really as they were/are some great hardware. Not quite enthusiast level like some of the old Zen players of days gone by, but worlds ahead of apple in terms of clarity and a clean signal.
I will never forget when my wife wanted to play a few songs off her iPod on the 'big' speakers and was taken back at how terrible it sounded over a real sound system. It is fine for the crappy headphones they come with. But the quality shows when you connect to 1/2 decent hardware, especially when you can hear it right after/before anything else. Thankfully the last 2 generations of iProducts are much improved and not as glaring, but still not up to Zune quality.
Just let it die Microsoft face it you waited to long to get into the market and that's why Apple beat you in this area. Its not that Apple IPOD is better its that they did it first
Just let it die Microsoft face it you waited to long to get into the market and that's why Apple beat you in this area. Its not that Apple IPOD is better its that they did it first
It didn't help that the Zune software was rather locked-down which restricted third-party developers from using the hardware to its full potential. It wasn't until OpenZDK was created that better performance could be realized but it's a bit too late now.
Standalone media players are probably going to be extinct soon as the capabilities will be merged with smartphones. Consumer digital cameras and GPS devices face the same fate.
Portable radios have the same problem and broadcasters are trying to get the FCC to mandate FM radio reception in smartphones in an attempt to prevent listener base decline.
It won't be long before smartphones turn into tricorders.
It didn't help that the Zune software was rather locked-down which restricted third-party developers from using the hardware to its full potential. It wasn't until OpenZDK was created that better performance could be realized but it's a bit too late now.Standalone media players are probably going to be extinct soon as the capabilities will be merged with smartphones. Consumer digital cameras and GPS devices face the same fate. Portable radios have the same problem and broadcasters are trying to get the FCC to mandate FM radio reception in smartphones in an attempt to prevent listener base decline.It won't be long before smartphones turn into tricorders.
The scary thing is that what once would have been hyperbole is not highly plausible. I've since replaced my standalone MP3 player with a Windows Phone 7 device and it also handles 99% of my email consumption, even when at home (and that isn't a BS statistic; the only reason I open my desktop mail client now is to watch a video my phone can't handle, which is very rare).
I don't listen to the radio anymore because I always have a source of music with me and now use my phone for a function I never did before: GPS.
Pretty crazy how much technology can change in 6 years. I guess we have the late Jobs to thank for it too. Apple may not have made the best phones, mp3 players, computers, or tablets but, like Microsoft before it, they shaped the industry and facilitated rapid change.
And it's all thanks to Jobs.
Yep, that still stings coming out...
The Zune HD is still the best standalone music and video player out there. Grab the ZHD dock for your TV and its even better. the quality of this product is simply amazing compared to all the iDevice clones out there, and yes, even the iPod itself.
I wish MS would either kill it, or refresh it. The uncertainty is killing it.
The scary thing is that what once would have been hyperbole is not highly plausible. I've since replaced my standalone MP3 player with a Windows Phone 7 device and it also handles 99% of my email consumption, even when at home (and that isn't a BS statistic; the only reason I open my desktop mail client now is to watch a video my phone can't handle, which is very rare).I don't listen to the radio anymore because I always have a source of music with me and now use my phone for a function I never did before: GPS.Pretty crazy how much technology can change in 6 years. I guess we have the late Jobs to thank for it too. Apple may not have made the best phones, mp3 players, computers, or tablets but, like Microsoft before it, they shaped the industry and facilitated rapid change.And it's all thanks to Jobs. Yep, that still stings coming out...
Thank Jobs for tech changing? LOL!
it definitely maybe dead or maybe it is definitely alive. i just love all these marketing gibberish talks.
Zune HD Undead Edition. I like this!
Quite simple:
Microsoft have a warehouse full of Zune HD's that will not sell.
Putting the death nail on the product line will mean that stock will move even slower.
Wait till Christmas, sell as many as possible, THEN kill the line after they dump inventory.
Business 101.
Huh...I never realized how much Microsoft & Brett Favre had in common...
Hmmm...maybe a Zune is not the device to get. MS can't even decide if they like it.
OK then, how bout a FIRE SALE ! 50 bucks anyone?? Worked for HP. Just sayin.....
OK then, how bout a FIRE SALE ! 50 bucks anyone?? Worked for HP. Just sayin.....
$25 ...then I'll buy one.
I think only 20,000 people in the world actually owns a ZUNE... those that MS gave away to the military and those given to MS Employees.
I HAVE A ZUNE 32G HD AND LOVE IT, SO NOW DO I THROW IT IN THE TRASH AND GET A IPOD, WHAT ABOUT ALL THE DOWNLOADS, THEY JUST GO AWAY TOO
I HAVE A ZUNE 32G HD AND LOVE IT, SO NOW DO I THROW IT IN THE TRASH AND GET A IPOD, WHAT ABOUT ALL THE DOWNLOADS, THEY JUST GO AWAY TOO
Yeah, throw it in the trash and get an iPod...but rip your music off first.