Steve Ballmer confirms Zune coming to Windows Mobile
By Nilay Patel 
posted October 2nd 2008 4:27PM
posted October 2nd 2008 4:27PM
Rumors of a Zune phone have floated around forever, but we've always thought it would make more sense for Microsoft to start by simply making a Zune player for Windows Mobile -- a plan Steve Ballmer casually confirmed today in an interview with CIO Magazine. Sure, Ballmer's hinted at Zune on WinMo in the past, but those were just hints -- not like today's pronouncement that "the Zune software will also be ported to and be more important not just with the hardware but on the PC, on Windows Mobile devices, etc." That's a pretty solid declaration of things to come, if you ask us -- too bad he didn't give a time frame. Now, about that 360 integration.[Via WM Power User]
This would be great for me. I dont have a zune, and probably will never get one, just because i have an ipod right now. But this would be a very very easy way for MS to add the zune functionality to literally millions of handsets that are already on the market if they choose too. In the future, they could change the hardware standards for mobile handsets to better work w/ the WM platform and this future zune offering, but they could make zune lite versions for older hardware, then ditch windows media player and replace it with zune instead. I'm just hoping they would do something like this because i HATE using windows media player on my mobile phone. An interface like zune would allow you to view pictures, videos, music, podcasts and w/e other features it has in a simple intuitive design. As it is right now i have to deal w/ htc album, htc audio manager, windows media player, then tcpmp...too many programs IMO. oh yeha, and if i want to be able to get podcasts on the go i need yet another program.
Windows Mobile blows... I just ditched my HTC S640, and demo'd the Touch Diamond, and then bought a Blackberry Curve, because I need something that works.
How about instead of putting a Zune in it, they make it work better first. Hold training for the hardware partners to port OS properly.
i don't know that much about windows mobile, so could you please tell me why it sucks?
@Some Kid:
You're an idiot. Several comments indicate my original post as sarcasm. I know what a Zune is, I own a Zune and so do about a dozen people I know, I don't mind Windows Mobile overmuch, who cares, who cares, no, I have nothing against either company.
In that order.
Also, your mom should teach you how to read.
Maybe somebody should teach you how to write.
Yes. Two of my roommates, actually.
@Christian Martin: I was being facetious...
@deyanimay: sorry mate, but no one is comparing it to the iPod Touch. Without a touch screen and a browser, it's not a fair comparison and if you look for Zune vs. X comparisons online, you'll only find them against the Nano and the iPod Classic. I'd like them to just really make WM7 significantly more user friendly and leverage their WM base to push the Zune platform that way, until HD based DAPs are phased out.
@Some Kid: Christian was being facetious...
I'm not sure why Erik is being modded down. He's obviously sending Jubei up.
Windows Mobile 7 will be amazing.
But let's not forget that it won't take long for a developer to easily write a Zune player for Android, using Open GL ES 2.0 and all the eye-candy expected. The success of WM7 will rely on its hardware as opposed to Android's and Apple's.
Judging from how generous HTC has been with its WM phone designs, I am defo looking forward to their WM7 phones.
I'd be interested to hear how this will work outside of the US given that the Zune Marketplace isn't available anywhere else. I know that you could still use it for your own music but a lot of the Zune client's features only really work when connected to the Marketplace.
Zunes are also sold outside the United States. The are available in India as well....
I've been saying this should be done for a long time now. I just wish they'd also make Zune available over here in the UK.
Subscription music on a HTC Touch HD would by sweetness for me.
Some Kid's reaction to this post is one of the funniest things I've seen in awhile.
Each step of the way I'd think, "man this kid can't be serious. What a comedian".
By the time I got to the end I realized, "holy shit, this Dumb Kid is serious".
Good stuff.
That's great news, Ms should make the zune software the default media player for future windows OS, just add more media formats, it's still lacking them, As well as give you the option of adding your msn contacts to your friends list on marketplace, that alone would bring even more people over to the social.
@Erik:
So are you saying that Apple was the first company to offer music playback on a phone?
OSX mobile gives free head and Windows Mobile sucks? Quality penis analogies, if intentional, since the mere presence of Apple fan boys ends up making their brand sound even more gay than the one(s) they're bashing (emphasis on fan boys; girls are allowed to go eeek! over shiny things). Out of curiosity, which tainted act does the G1 perform?
So which brand is my preference, really? Moved to a place which can't be reached by land, then switched off my mobile for the last time more than 5 months ago. Life without ring tones is absolute bliss, and my consulting, programming and web hosting ventures haven't suffered to my knowledge; if anything, focus has improved dramatically.
Watching the debate from the sidelines and might cherry-pick the clear winner at a later stage, but I can tell you it won't be the one released by an advertising agency whose product is you (the user), and how much they know about you.
The G1 will perfom a Commodore.
It's interesting to note that the ZunePass subscription service is billed under the heading of Xbox Live in Microsoft's online billing site. Also, both Xbox Live and Zune marketplace were down at the same time, so they must share the same backbone. I think after the Xbox fall update the next thing they'll announce for Christmas is Zune integration with Xbox Live.
THE ZUNE SOFTWARE HAS KNOWN ISSUES WITH PROGRAMS LIKE ADOBE CS3 AND MANY VIDEO GAMES. I used to love the Zune software until I saw the problems it caused. MS is slow to update the Zune software and is pretty much ignoring the Zune community and its pleas. When you can't do something as simple as integrate with last.fm, let us tag our own music, use THE Zune with other software or as mass storage, or rate songs with stars (which you used to be able to do and can do in WMP), then you have a large problem.
That said, I love the UI and the hardware, it could be great if they would just listen to the community and fix the problems. Or at least communicate with them and tell them you are working on it.
I have Adobe CS3 and Zune installed. Both work fine...
err... i have no idea what are you talking about. i have adobe creative suite and i'm a hardcore gamer. i also happen to use my zune software without a glitch.
What problems? I use CS3 and most modern games without issue. Can you enlarge on this?
-also-
MS updated the Zune software a couple of weeks ago!
-and-
I can tag my own music with the Zune software.
----
I agree with you on the data storage thing, WTH Microsoft!
well...
-they could integrate with last.fm but that would be direct competition with their own zune card.
-you can tag your own music, and it even shows up on ur card and is counted a play now.
-mass storage would be amazing but i'm sure they'll do it eventually
-they are trying to get people to use the Zune software so why would they make it open, yet. we know the issues that arise from that
-FINALLY...they update seasonally like the XBOX does, i'm glad there isnt want every week and a half like iTunes, just makes it more riskier for my library to get corrupted. and the Zune team gets huge praise on every update for LISTENING TO THEIR COMMUNITY. so whats ur deal?
This is not surprising. Without the ability to truly innovate, Miscrosoft Mr. Ballmer nicknamed Mr. Miscreant has no choice but to copy what Apple has been doing. That is combining its excellent iPod/iTunes integrated environment into a smartphone.
Unfortunately, MS the most glaring "me too" company in the tech industry will be forced to use their existing hobble WinMo OS and their crude, 1950's cold war style Zune hardware offerings for this new initiative that Mr. Ballmer is hinting at.
Expect this product to copy every single feature the iPhone has. Except it will be clunky, UI interface designed by a two year old, using crayons as their template for finished designs.
Jubei, what you're missing here is that Microsoft is completely redesigning Windows Mobile 7 from the ground-up. This is a complete overhaul--not an update, as was PPC 2003 of 2002, WinMo 5 from 2003, 6 from 5, 6.1 from 6, etc.
While maintaining the Windows Mobile feel, this will be a completely different (and new) animal.
"Microsoft is completely redesigning Windows Mobile 7 from the ground-up."
What an absurd statement. Actually it was also hilarious. Making a statement about MS creating something from the ground up is akin to saying Brittney Spears writes all her own music. LOL
i hope you're getting paid by Apple, 'cause i feel sorry for you that every one of your posts is low ranked.
Jubie is either a troll or a paid marketer. He always posts in Zune articles and all his posts have these qualities:
Ridicule and smugness
The "me too" thing they're trying to attach to the Zune
The "copying" thing they're trying to attach to Microsoft
Jubei has never denied this or explained his motive.
"Expect this product to copy every single feature the iPhone has."
This is a cross platform product. Where is the cross platfrom oSX Mobile available?
Still no Zune in Japan... snif snif... but im happy with my old Ipod.
talking of LastFM, here a link to the new Saturday Lo-fi album, amazing electro/ambient stuff..!
and you can listen to all the songs;
http://www.last.fm/music/Saturday+Lo-fi
Even though your post is the pinnacle of sarcasm, you forgot the /sarcasm.
I always thought Zune integration would be better than a separate Zunephone. For one, it goes straight in-line with Microsoft's integration philosophy, and two; sharing music taste is the center of the experience. This would allow all of those that own a WinMo phone to share their plays. That is, unless they take that out, that would be ridiculous.
And if I had to get a new HDD player, it would definitely be a Zune.
jesus you need friends
Hey, more choice is always good, right? Hopefully this will lead to more convergence in the marketplace.
@ Everyone:
I was being sarcastic and making fun of Jubei, whose stupidity on such matters is jaw-dropping.
This is taking the Plays for Sure idea that Microsoft had and taking it to the next level.
The Microsoft E&D shop makes great interfaces for the masses. Look at the Xbox 360 Blades, their forthcoming New Xbox Experience or the Zune software.
Take these experiences and put them into Windows Mobile 7 as software and you have a platform that can expand very rapidly.
I just hope that MS keeps putting out the dedicaed Zune hardware as well.
It would also be great is everyone with an Xbox Live subscription would have access to the ZunePass too.
so it is finally revealed. Now here is where Apple gets scared. The Microsoft software platform behemoth begins its execution.
A properly executed WinMo phone with this app front and center is going to be extremely competitive. Microsoft just has to make sure the app doesn't suffer from running on shitty underpowered hardware that winmo vendors are notorious for.
erm......can we consider that as a leaked screenshot of wm7?
Assuming the HTC Touch HD has the same music player preloaded as the HTC Touch Diamond that I have then it's already got a pretty solid solution. Zune software integration would just be icing on the cake.
I wonder what will come first:
1. Worldwide release of the Zune.
2. Zune for Windows Mobile.
3. The whole world going vegan after we run out of oil.
I'm quite sure about the time scale for 3, unfortunately no one knows when 1 & 2 will occur. Personally I'm looking forward to all 3.
my question is will windows mobile 7 be available for an upgrade for phones that run winmo6.1 cuz i want to buy the htc touch hd whenever it gets released but dont want to switch phones mid 2009 to use winmo7? i dont know if i can get the touch hd and expect an update later on or if i should just hold on and wait for a winmo7 phone?