We weren't sure things could get any more interesting with Microsoft's mobile rumor mill, but along comes
Zune Boards with some tantalizing findings in the latest Zune software update. First up is the eEndpointFamily files, which lists all the compatible hardware -- ZuneHD, for example. Also found, however, were entries for "PmxPure" and "PmxTurtle." PMX, if you recall, seems to be a reference to Microsoft's
Premium Mobile eXperiences group, the remnants of the Danger acquisition who have been whispered to be working on
Project Pink. As for Pure and Turtle, let's go back all the way to September 2009, when we
first heard those names as the initial Pink duo -- there were some
supposed renders, too. If that's not enough, two PMX table entries pointed to a snippet of text stating that "Studio members" can "View and manage pictures and videos taken with your phone at the Studio," followed by a link that for now redirects to Zune.net. Could the mysterious Project Pink and the oft-rumored "
Zune phone" be one in the same, with some "Studio" service for uploading media to the cloud? Is this all some red herring perpetuated by some amused Microsoft staffers? We don't know, but it's mean to tug at our heart strings like that, Microsoft, and worse that it makes
Mobile World Congress even more painful to wait for.
#tmdp
posted January 28th 2010 11:20PM
Zune phone!
A ringedy ding ding ding dee doh!
@Wowzers This totally made me think Banana Phone instead.
@Wowzers
should come to T-Mobile so I can get a Project Dark Pink plan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i9E6zAhvp8
@Elaith The bottom line is that massive data outages might be just the kind of early warning users need to abandon the Sidekick and get on another device before the decision gets knocked out of your hands like the punchline to a standup's retor. More details of the Project Pink: http://bit.ly/microsoft-project-pink-details
@Wowzers I'm pretty sure it's a new sidekick.
@Wowzers
This is not a Zune. This is the next version of the Danger Sidekick.
Created by the Danger division within Microsoft. It'll probably get a new name, other than Sidekick, though.
The last batch went to T-Mobile. It'll be interesting to see which Cellcos take up this one.
@Wowzers LMAO..that Geico ring tone makes me laugh so hard, I gotta download that.
more than ready for this. forget my blackberry. forget the ipad. forget fanboiz who still think it's cool to say M$. i want it.
@Wildman same here. i like my BlackBerry Bold but i would drop it like flaming dog crap if i could get a Zune Phone. just make it a Zune HD with slide out QWERTY and a 3G antenna and i will give them many many monies.
@kojo87
yes please. Just let me use the zune pass on my phone and I'm pretty sold. but I'll still need a QWERTY keyboard as well, touch keyboards make me hate everything.
God Microsoft, could you be ANY later to the party?
@Hexydes
Luckily, I think the cell phone industry has become somewhat saturated with devices that are all very similar from touchscreen phones to whatever else on the market. If Microsoft can come out with something really neat, innovative and fresh it could catch on and this could be the right time for it to do so.
@Hexydes
Like certain other companies are any less 'late' to the gadget party...
Hmmm? I think the year was 2003:
http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tr/gallery/hptr1105/Image00021_small.jpg
Except this one had a larger display (same aspect ratio - LOL!), built in USB ports, a built in fire wire port, built in video out, a full-fledged operating system, true multi-tasking, handwriting recognition, more ram, larger storage capacity, a smaller bezel, and on... and on.
So... What was that your were saying about being Late To The Party?
@DaHarder I have one of those, and it actually still works
@wjr1985
So do I, and my TC1100 runs very well with Windows 7.
It's a TRUE Tablet PC for the REAL computer user, not just what one (tyrannical) individual feels we should be using ;-)
Regarding this ZUNE Phone idea: I hope that the GUI closely resembles that of my ZUNE HD - A masterpiece of functional design/elegance.
if M$ brought out the courier with phone capability and all the right apps and improved user interface and project natal then all its failures would be just a drop in the bucket.
@DaHarder
So how did the ten people who bought one of these "Htabs" like it? But I do give HP credit for trying, too bad Carly fired most of the engineers.
@xconan, in no way should the Courier UI be used for a phone. Video conferencing and 3g sure, but not a phone.
Microsoft has a very diverse project range, hopefully they are integrating it all nicely.
Oh my dear god, I would murder for a Zune Phone that supports MS My Phone.
@Tiptup300
Uhh...WHOA.
I'd hate to think what you'd do for a Klondike bar.
@derX
I've never had a Klondike bar
@Tiptup300
I don't like klondike bars, but I'll tell you want. You setup a deal with some Lindt Chocolate and I'll do some horrible terrible things to someone for you.
After I kill them of course. ;)
Can't wait to see what Microsoft has in store, hopefully it blows the iPhone out of the water because frankly, I'm sick of the Apple hype machine.
@sammymoho
actually, I think that is going to be WinPhone7 to do that.
the Danger team is working on "Niche" products, it wouldn't be good for them to step on their Partner's toes
@lennie22
hey, I'm fine with whatever. As long as it crashes the Apple train... Unless the train is headed for hell or something...
@sammymoho after the iPad announcement it looks like its heading off a cliff.
@sammymoho
Do not worry yourself, Engadget won't carry it a quarter as much as the iPad news was carried on the 26th.
Everything was a "breaking news" that day.
This thing has to appeal to people who want just a little more than a feature phone and a little less than a smartphone. IMHO
@Jeff
If I recall, Project Pink and WM7 are two different things with slight overlap, so I would imagine Project Pink to be more than a feature phone, less than a smartphone while WM7 is a true smart phone.
@Jeff That actually works for me. I honestly cant afford the extra $30 some odd dollars a month for unlimited data for a smart phone. So I have to get a phone with tons of features to make up for it. Hopefully once I'm out of school I can afford one.
Isn't this old news? Guess they need to catch up after the 3 day long Apple Fap party.
@n0ne This is new; you're thinking of Long Zheng's find
@burnblue Perhaps, sir.
Dear Microsoft,
I want the following in a phone:
- 1.5GHz power-sipping CPU
- HDMI-out
- mobile UI + desktop UI (when doing HDMI-out)
- 1080p support for videos AND desktop
- microSD card support, up to 32GB
- 5" screen (I'm willing to buy my pants based on the size of my phone)
- dockable keyboard + mouse with HDMI-out and power charger (can be sold separately)
- unicorn wallpaper
If you deliver that device, UNLOCKED, for $299.99, I will buy four of them.
@Hexydes
Don't forget multi-tasking.
@Hexydes
No no no no no no. The iPhone is already too big I would prefer a somewhat smaller device, about the size of the current Zune.
@Hexydes
I'll take one for Free, also.
You know, for testing purposes.
@Wowzers i'm with you bro. if my zune was a phone, even a near-featurephone (like just an added microphone, cellular antenna, and speaker) i would be all over that junk.
@Wowzers The good thing about what I described is that it doesn't really matter the size of the mobile device. Technically, you could have two implementations, a "lite mobile" and "power mobile" version. The lite mobile could even be like a little flip phone that just has the basics, but could still function as a portable computer when docked; the power mobile could basically be like a mini-tablet device running Android. (or Windows Mobile I suppose, but honestly, I've lost all faith in Microsoft to deliver for the mobile market)
@Hexydes
YES 5", that's why I haven't given up my Athena just yet
@Hexydes
Powered by di-lithium crystals as well?
What about a Flux Capacitor, you forgot that.
You sure you exist in the real world?
I never have bought an Iphone first hand and currently using a 1G Iphone on T-Mobile. It's been more than 2 years without a contract in hoping to replace my Iphone. I tried the Touch Pro 2 in last July and it was just an utter mess from texting to making phone calls on the fly. I was little excited when they announced the Nexus but given that I am already a T-mobile customer and not a new customer I refused to pay a higher price.
Now that At&t have dropped their prices and Tmobile is no longer a great value I will most likely consider signing up with At&t to get the new Iphone even though I am desperately want something different. Hopefully the Zune phone can deliver and compete as a premium phone that I will consider. Also I am looking at what the Pre 2 will look like since it is probably the best overall OS currently.
@JohnMKeynes
I've had a 3GS and original iPhone, and I would recommend the 3GS because of the 3G (if you live in an AT&T 3G coverage area), GPS, and speed. Compass is nice, I don't ever use voice control but it works if you like it. If you don't live in AT&T 3G coverage, I'd probably go with a Droid (unless Verizon is bad around your area, or you just hate Verizon).
@JohnMKeynes Palm Pre (or Pre Plus)
A video upload service?
So, your not going to give in to your hate for Google and just use YouTube?
And your going to create your own service?
Good luck.
@jordanbiffle
Microsoft and Google only compete in some areas, now that Soapbox is gone, they no longer compete in the video uploading service which means they can play nice in that area. It would be smart for Microsoft to use YouTube.
@jordanbiffle : Eh, many Microsoft teams have YouTube channels. It's not like YouTube is the 'best' video-sharing site. Just the one with the most content.
Just put a god damn phone in the god damn ZuneHD already. keep the software the same and just add a phone app with the required hardware changes. 5mp camera on the back (Which should come to all zuneHDs.
how hard is this? had you had this ready when the ZuneHD was released the market would have been a lot less crowded.
@SmilinGoat
It's not freakin' legos here...