Zune 'Phone' devices listed in latest software update
By Thomas Ricker 
posted January 26th 2010 8:48AM
posted January 26th 2010 8:48AM
posted January 26th 2010 8:48AM
Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.5
Microsoft Windows Phone 7
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@Mactacular
all you are doing is using internet services and your mp3 player functionality. nothing special and can hardly be considered multitasking. believe it or not EVEN VERIZON PHONES CAN DO THAT (gasp!). try this: open third party app #1, perform a task, close out of it and open up third party app #2, perform a task. go back to third party app #1 and see if it is in the same screen/task that you were at before closing out of it. i am willing to bet money it won't be. kbye.
@himynameisnathan
I'm an old-school Apple hater from way back and currently own a Pre. It's a wonderful OS, but the hardware does leave something to be desired. Zune software is the best general use media software on Windows right now bar none. So a post like this leaves me in a quandry. In an ideal world we'd get Zune services on webOS, and WebOS on a ZuneHD phone. But alas, to dream... As it is, both platforms are better than iPhone.
@Mactacular
My HTC Touch Pro2 on Verizon running WinMo 6.5 can do that too, it can also run any other 3rd app I want it to at the same time, I can also make calls while doing all of that, though I'm not sure why I'd want to.
@Guardians13jm
to help your friend win a game show, duh!!!
Quote "There’s no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance."
So the Zune phone will succeed, where the iPhone *failed*, eh Ballmer?
Heh... If I was an Microsoft software developer, I would totally add extra useless lines to configuration files just to screw with sites like Engadget.
I'd do way better than a Zune phone, too... I'd add some really provocative comments like the following:
# This line enables Windows 8 integration with Microsoft Surface Home Edition
# This section enables the Zune Phone to work with "Microsoft TV"
# This code snippet allows the XBox 720 to communicate with the Windows Mobile 7 phones.
I'll bet that some of you suckers would fall for it, too :)
@leonbev I guess you gotta get your licks in somewhere, I mean, besides Steve Jobs' balls right?
*APPLEZ MAKIN A TABLET!!! WOOHOO, IT'S TOTALLY NEW AND REVOLUTIONARY!!! NO ONE HAS EVER DONE THIS BEFORE IN THE HISTORY OF EVER!! DERRR!!"
@leonbev
As would I. It would be ever so grand to mess with bloggers in a mass scale.
It would be better if it had stuff like:
"iPhone integration to get that great Apple experience"
"This peice of code will find and delete any Linux or Mac partition and enable Windows Mobile 6.8 to stop being slow"
Zune phone? LMAO!
"Due to 24 hour update downtime, your phone will be unavailable for 24 hours."
Yeah, that'll work!
@ogman I suppose you can't get that from Apple since they don't stream music or have any need to send you updates without charging you anyway.
^_^ sweet.
Dear Microsoft,
Release the Zune proper in the UK and rest of world.
Love,
Britain
@archkron
http://zunethings.co.uk/
enjoy =)
they have zune pass working as well I think, and you can also make the marketplace work. A bit fiddly work I know, but I couldn't wait.
@archkron I think the Zune strategy heavily focuses on Zune pass and I think the availability of the free version of spotify in the UK might make it a little bit tougher to push Zune pass, which might be part of why Zune isn't yet in Europe. After all, a lot of the money that Apple actually makes is via iTunes and phone subscriptions and not really the hardware itself.
Knowing MS, this is probably staying in the US =(
@Jerry
My condolences
I wonder if this indicates Microsoft's intentions to build a Zune phone, or just the possibility of third-party phones running Zune WM software
Can't wait !! I want so badly Zune into my HD2 ! Even more than WinMo 7 lol
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
That's all I have to say. I have a Zune HD and it's awesome, a phone with Zune HD capabilites? ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I really suspect the end result won't be a "Zune Phone" as much as a "Phone with Zune." Creating a software solution for Zune on other devices seems to be more familiar territory for Microsoft, and allows them to play to the strength of having Zune as a service within the now infamous three-screen ideology.
And I don't know anything about programming, but the three lines for Zune devices and another three for Zune phones may be misleading as an indicator of devices, since there are four form factors that the Zune software supports -- 30GB, 4/8GB, 80/120GB, and the current HDs Or maybe pointing that out just supports the idea that it could be an app versus a separate device.
..Then again, maybe MS is finally taking a lesson from Apple and attempting to control the whole platform?
Not being a fanboy or anything but please don't make it WinMo
I really like the interface of the Zune HD
@tpbftw : No reason why WinMo can't have a Zune HD-like interface (though there would need to be some modifications to make the HD's interface better for the flexibility of a smartphone)
@Quikboy The problem is most of the code in WinMo is getting old and is just piling up into bloat, they need to do a re-haul of the whole thing. I'm not saying it's terrible, it could just be much much better.
I would give up my iPhone 3gs for a zune phone HD since I already have a zune HD
I'm already writing drafts for my future craigslist ad to sell my iPhone.
@Swagger
1. You're stupidity amazes me. You just called me a troll after saying "Will this sell as well as the Zune?". You're the one trolling.
2. My comment wasn't even meant to be a jab at Apple, it was more of a joke. You need to chill out.
And for the record, yes I do loathe Apple. But at the same time I try to stay objective. Hence why I've owned multiple iPods and iPhones in the past. I just can't justify paying ridiculous sums of money for such poor hardware when it comes to computers. I personally need a performance machine. The PC I could build for $1,000 would blow any Mac out of the water. I get horny just thinking about it.
I sure do hope that WPA2 ENTERPRISE NETWORK SUPPORT will be in the zune phone, it would be silly to release something that doesn't work on their target demographics' work/college wifi network...
Damn, I was thinking about getting an Iphone. But after seeing this, I'll hold off on doing that. A Zune Phone = Epicness. Hell, a phone with the Zune software = Epicness. Thank you MS, for FINALLY doing this! I've been reading on some forums, where some people think this phone will go with Verizon. Well if it does, I will have no problem making the switch from AT&T to Verizon. Never thought I'd ever do that. lol The ZuneHD is such a cool little device. It's an absolute thing of beauty. A ZuneHD-like phone that you can talk on, that will also more than likely have more apps? A Zune Phone with a rumored camera capable of shooting in HD? Silverlight? That's simply badass, man. Sign me on for this! Sorry Apple, gotta go with MS on this one! lol
@HeartBreakKid
I'm not interested in Zune software unless it's running on nVidia Tegra/Tegra 2 or SnapDragon processor. I know that when I pull up video podcasts and high quality pictures on my Zune HD the hardware is the reason why it's so fast. I have a Touch Pro2 but would upgrade to a Zune HD Phone quite quickly, IF I could sync my Exchange account with 1,600 contacts and 100+ emails a day.
Why am I the only one to notice that this update allows AVI files to be played on the software?
Now, just need to organize my Video library... any tips you guys?
Phone related phrases in the zune firmware is not new.
http://www.zuneboards.com/forums/zune-firmware/48472-interesting-items-found-4-3-firmware.html
I was wondering what phone to get. My ipod is on its last leg, and my phone only works half the time. This can't come soon enough.
Your Windows Phone is now a useless brick.
It confirms to me that Microsoft's new phone OS will run applications based on Silverlight. Microsoft will fill its app store with Silverlight apps.
The current Windows Phones will be rendered obsolete.
Just looking through the DLLs and files it looks like the ZuneResources.dll.mui file has been altered and includes this little bit of text:
Studio members View and manage pictures and videos taken with your phone at the Studio-http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=177789
Anyone got any ideas about that one? Has anyone heard of 'Zune Studio'???
maybe not worth mentioning, but after the update the software now also fully supports german language.. quite odd, as there is no zune device available in any german speaking country.