So, still no international release plans? I do not understand why Microsoft doesn't want to sell Zune's outside of the US. Do they not like money now or something?
I think as it stands now, they won't be available internationally at release, but multiple vague statements indicate they will be taking the Zune internationally at some point in the future.
With all due respect, I've heard those "vague statements" before and that still hasn't resulted in anything concrete. I'm not holding my breath until there is an official statement on the matter, such as "we will release the Zune HD in Country B on Date Y". Until then it sounds more like this is something they are thinking about, which I would be stunned if they weren't, but still doesn't explain why it hasn't happened yet. How difficult is this? Everyone else seems to manage it and yet this is something that is clearly holding the platform back.
Respect accepted. I hear ya. It's been a long time coming. They've gotten the question for years. It's went from, "we have no current plans" to "We're looking into it" to "It won't happen now, but it will happen"
Grain or salt or no, there is something to what they've been saying over time. It's not a matter of if, but when now.
I boggles the mind as to why they havent released it outside the US, i would DEFINATLY consider one over an ipod, but really in England theres not a great deal of player choice (with software to go with it, yes i like itunes). Come on MS release it over here;)
There were actually some quite clear statements from the european xbox/zune team to say that zune was coming to the UK, france and elsewhere this september. It seems though that over the passed year they've retreated that statment just to mean zune video is coming on the xbox this autumn/fall. My guess is because of hardware incompatibility - HD Radio an all.
As I mention in every Zune related article, Zuneinsider had an article a while ago where a Microsoft spokesperson confirms that the Zune HD would indeed be sold outside the USA.
Did they do anything useful like say when and where? The only reason why I ask is that I am sure that Microsoft announced the same thing for at least the last generation of Zunes and that never actually happened. It is for this reason that I am sceptical of any statements that Microsoft plans to release these devices internationally until they provide concrete dates and places.
The most likely explanation as to why they haven't released it internationally is probably that they're still looking for the big hit. As long as it cannot compete with the iPod in terms of sales and as long as it's probably also sold at loss due to Apple's better economies of scale, they would rather just sell it in their home market where they already have a big existing customer base, mostly through the Xbox. Once they create a hit product that is able to attract new customers, they will release internationally.
The HD receiver isn't compatible with the signals outside of the US. I doubt Microsoft would release hardware that doesn't even fully work, so to release worldwide, they would have to remove the HD receiver.
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So, still no international release plans? I do not understand why Microsoft doesn't want to sell Zune's outside of the US. Do they not like money now or something?
Well people are saying it's coming out that day in Europe as well.
I think as it stands now, they won't be available internationally at release, but multiple vague statements indicate they will be taking the Zune internationally at some point in the future.
@Jander
With all due respect, I've heard those "vague statements" before and that still hasn't resulted in anything concrete. I'm not holding my breath until there is an official statement on the matter, such as "we will release the Zune HD in Country B on Date Y". Until then it sounds more like this is something they are thinking about, which I would be stunned if they weren't, but still doesn't explain why it hasn't happened yet. How difficult is this? Everyone else seems to manage it and yet this is something that is clearly holding the platform back.
Respect accepted. I hear ya. It's been a long time coming. They've gotten the question for years. It's went from, "we have no current plans" to "We're looking into it" to "It won't happen now, but it will happen"
Grain or salt or no, there is something to what they've been saying over time. It's not a matter of if, but when now.
I boggles the mind as to why they havent released it outside the US, i would DEFINATLY consider one over an ipod, but really in England theres not a great deal of player choice (with software to go with it, yes i like itunes). Come on MS release it over here;)
We have Zunes here in Canada... and we are outside the US.
Can't the Engadget staff ask for a statement about international release? Specifically an European release?
There were actually some quite clear statements from the european xbox/zune team to say that zune was coming to the UK, france and elsewhere this september. It seems though that over the passed year they've retreated that statment just to mean zune video is coming on the xbox this autumn/fall. My guess is because of hardware incompatibility - HD Radio an all.
@SidedPanic:
Would you please explain what does that mean?
"My guess is because of hardware incompatibility - HD Radio an all"
@Malweran:
I hear ya brotha and I stand with ya. Engadget, Would you please ask people in Seattle about Europe release? =D
As I mention in every Zune related article, Zuneinsider had an article a while ago where a Microsoft spokesperson confirms that the Zune HD would indeed be sold outside the USA.
@synn
Did they do anything useful like say when and where? The only reason why I ask is that I am sure that Microsoft announced the same thing for at least the last generation of Zunes and that never actually happened. It is for this reason that I am sceptical of any statements that Microsoft plans to release these devices internationally until they provide concrete dates and places.
Africa needs a Zune too, Microsoft!
@Halix
"My guess is because of hardware incompatibility - HD Radio an all"
Europe have their own formats for audio on radio now that are not compatible with the standards in the US.
The most likely explanation as to why they haven't released it internationally is probably that they're still looking for the big hit. As long as it cannot compete with the iPod in terms of sales and as long as it's probably also sold at loss due to Apple's better economies of scale, they would rather just sell it in their home market where they already have a big existing customer base, mostly through the Xbox. Once they create a hit product that is able to attract new customers, they will release internationally.
The HD receiver isn't compatible with the signals outside of the US.
I doubt Microsoft would release hardware that doesn't even fully work, so to release worldwide, they would have to remove the HD receiver.