Microsoft's Bach says 'there are other places where Zune logically could go'
By Chris Ziegler 
posted January 11th 2010 1:26PM
posted January 11th 2010 1:26PM
So that meeting a few days ago where financial analysts physically beat a few choice WinMo 7 nuggets out of Robbie Bach yielded something else that's pretty interesting, too: the expansion of the Zune franchise. Virtually everyone and their mother has been calling for a Zunephone since the day the first Zune 30 rolled off the assembly line, and a very, very carefully-worded statement by Bach in the meeting has us believing that we could finally see it make the bold leap to GSM (or CDMA, or both) this year. In response to a question about how Zune fits into Microsoft's mobile strategy, Bach had this to say:If you read between the lines there, it certainly sounds like Robbie's got his eyes on the prize -- but whether Zune will come to Windows Mobile or live as its own brand remains to be seen. No guarantees, but we're hoping all will be revealed at MWC next month."Now, your other question was about I'm getting old. Zune, so Zune has been critically successful. And the way Zune is going to be successful for us in the future is you should think of that as our media service across multiple screens. We'll continue to have the Zune device screen. But, we now have Zune on Xbox. We have Zune on the PC. There are other places where Zune logically could go that we don't get to talk about yet. And I think lots of different screens with that capability can go."
He's probably talking about networked devices like DVD players and TV's (like netflix) :)
If a Zune phone comes out and looks exactly like that picture, it would be one sexy looking phone.
Maybe the Zune HD OS is an early version of Windows 7?
@kopmis *Windows Mobile 7
@kopmis
Sweet. So from the Invento..er, I mean... Marketers of DOS, comes a 2010 Text-based Phone OS?
Brilliant.
i don't predict a zunephone, but i predict a zune-esque media manager in wm7
"Virtually everyone and their mother has been calling for a Zunephone since the day the first Zune 30 rolled off the assembly line..."
HAHAHA, virtually all 12 of you?
@(Unverified)
LOL I mean really.
These kinds of statements tend to get misinterpreted because we consider Zune to be a piece of hardware, but Microsoft considers Zune to be an online store.
Man...I think every tech fan wants to see a ZunePhone at this point. Microsoft, just do it already because I know I would DEFINITELY get one.
Love my iPhone but really want something else and I'm still not feeling any iteration of Android so far, Nexus one included. Waiting for WebOS to mature but in all honestly would get a ZunePhone if it's anywhere as sexy as the current Zune in a heartbeat.
I'd actually sooner expect the Zune to enter the gaming market (actual gaming, such as the PSP for the DS) than the cellphone market. Especially they plan to run WinMo7 on it, it absolutely goes against Microsoft's main policy of not entering the same market, and competing companies that use Microsoft's own software to run THEIR products.
I could see them using something like the Tegra 2, or some other SoC and try to enter the portable gaming market and compete with Sony and Nintendo.
@Solidstate89
They already screwed the pooch on that policy when they made the Zune....
@Wesscoast
There aren't a whole lot of PMPs out there that run on Windows Software. In fact the only ones that I can think of are MIDs and media tablets that run on Windows CE, or Windows 7 (like that archos tablet).
@Solidstate89
Well, yea, there USED to be a bunch of PlaysForSure devices. Those were MS Hardware partners, and when the Zune came out, it was a knife in the back to all of them.
So now you expect those guys to come out with Zune-branded accessories?
As for synergies, people are dropping WinMo for the superior and free Android.. MS is running out of options.
I'm pretty sure "Plays for Sure" is just MS for WMA DRM10 which is used for the Zune subscription service among others. It just means that stuff downloaded from the Zune marketplace will play on a Sansa (PFS compatable). There was a Windows CE "Mobile Media player" edition that was shipped on some Creative and Toshiba units up until it was updated into firmware for the original Zune. Owning an Android phone, I can tell you that while Android is slick, there are definitely things that need improvement and current WM versions have it beat in some important areas like Exchange ActiveSync.
Bach then dropped his pants and revealed that, indeed, there had been a Zune up his arse during the whole press conference.
Zune Phone is coming. MSFT has ordered parts
@Trevor D
Really? So MS receives the parts and then Ballmer will hop in the truck and deliver them to the company that actually makes the Zune?
Who was it? Hitachi? Toshiba?
MS makes (sometimes really good) software.
@Wesscoast
Just saying, a (non tech) buddy who works at a supplier, says they got the order. Clearly I have nothing to provide to prove this. But, @Wesscoast, I bet you we see it in 9mos.
And yes, prob not MSFT assembling.
Oh god, please be a Zune Phone. I would buy it the second it is released. Actually, I would wait until August, when my contract with the Big Red is up.
I came here to say I absolutely love my Zune HD + ZunePass. Simply the best thing MS has ever done. Make a phone out of it and I would buy it in a heartbeat.
Microsoft's Bach says 'there are other places where Zune logically could go'
It will most logically go to the garbage bin.
@HighestRanked
You're one hilarious person.
@WixosTrix lol
I really think that Microsoft should have some kind of "Entertainment Pack"
Like, Package a ZuneHD with an Xbox, or a Zune with a certain laptop. Not only would this drive awareness of Zune, but its integration with all Microsoft products
"Zune has been critically successful."
What is this man talking about? Amazon's list of Bestsellers in Electronics shows the iPod touch in the 2nd and 3rd spot. In contrast, the Zune HD is gasping for air at 89th.
Things that beat the iPod Touch: Amazon Kindle (#1 in the list)
Things that beat the Zune HD: $11 Logitech speakers (#25), Belkin surge protector (#65)
@HighestRanked
"critically successful." doesn't mean that it's selling well, it only refers to how the critics like Engadget and other reviewers rate it. And they all loved it.
I've been saying it since last year... Look at the Zune HD's screen. Hello WM7. Leo could run Zune's firmware with it's specs. Everyone keeps talking about how WM7 needs to be a game changer. iPhone was the game changer. It's an all in one device. The real deal. Add all the PDA functionality to the Zune HD that WM currently has... and a phone, and voila! A phone that will interface with your PC, netbook, car, Xbox. A phone that can go toe to toe with iPhone.
@theclerk74
I agree, all the job adds MS has out there hints to one thing and one thing only. Microsoft is taking Windows Mobile and aiming it towards the complete package with the Zune Software as well as adding gaming to it's arsenal. They will also work on getting it more integrated with the XBox.
Engadget you kiddin', right ? Everyone knows Zune is coming with WinMo 7.
Bach recently said this about the Zune Phone: "Zune HD isn’t that far away from being a phone and no, we’re not doing a phone, so please don’t start those rumours. But from a technology perspective, it’s not far away." http://www.cbc.ca/fp/story/2010/01/09/2421545.html
"There are other places where Zune logically could go that we don't get to talk about yet".
Can it come to Mexico? Or for the matter, to any other country in the world? Pretty please?
"There are other places where Zune logically could go that we don't get to talk about yet."
Does one of those places include down the toilet?
I want to see Zune 3G.....(hell make it 4G).......and put it on Sprint so I don't have to switch. Thanks. And if its a WinMo7 phone, I'm going to automatically assume it'll get access to LIVE like all the rest?.....(finally leverage that damn tegra chip)
For me, a Zune Phone could be as simple as them adding "Call" and "Text" right above music on the current UI and allowing me to Pin contacts.