Microsoft's support page revealing the Zune's discontinuation is back online, and the Windows Phone team even admits it in their latest radio broadcast.
Looks like Microsoft's Zune HD media player may be dead after all. The latest mention of the gadget's demise arrives via Windows Phone Radio session #45. Just past the 12 minute mark, the team confirms that "we're not going to be making the Zune HD any more, which is a bummer." The topic then turns to Zune services within Windows Phone and how this will be the company's new focus.
Currently the device is listed as "out of stock" on Microsoft’s online store, but the company previously stated that it will support the PMP hardware as well as "honor the warranties of all devices for both current owners and those who buy our very last devices."
News of Zune's demise began to circulate last Monday 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 indicated that yes, the Zune HD was dead by way of a support page that said the company plans to focus on Zune services via Windows Phone, but the page was quickly removed. Later Microsoft's official Zune support team neither confirmed nor denied the device's death, saying via Twitter that "no official info has been released stating hardware is being discontinued."
But there's no denying it now: the Windows Phone team spilled the beans in a radio session. The support page has even returned, saying that "we recently announced that, going forward, Windows Phone will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy, and that we will no longer be producing Zune players."
Sounds like the Zune HD is done... for today, at least. What will tomorrow bring?
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6afrobacon , October 11, 2011 10:39 AMI'll give M$ credit here for having a good product; I highly preferred it over the iPod. It just came out late and couldn't compete with Apples marketing.
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5AbdullahG , October 11, 2011 10:15 AMLet it be, Microsoft, let it be.
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3anonymous@guest , October 11, 2011 1:33 PMThe ability to market that product effectively benchmark is so low you could trip over it and still succeed. Zune nice concept, visually appealing brand and right execution - just run by morons who are still trying to figure out how to graduate from the Kellogs Product Management training courses found internally on roleguide.
