Engadget

Zune HD International launch hopes crushed by Microsoft, others raised

Thomas Ricker — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:08:00 EST

Don't be sad. We know it hurts but that's what happens when your emotions exceed reason. The Zune HD will be a US exclusive when it goes on sale September 15th just as it was when the original Zune brownie went on sale back in November 2006. Here's what Microsoft told Ars:

"For the time being the Zune HD device will remain US only. Right now we are focused on deploying an exciting service in the form of Zune Video to 18 markets. We are looking at potential future hardware experiences for these markets, but do not have anything to announce right now."

Plenty of fodder for conspiracy types here. First, that means Canada is out, even though older Zune models are already on sale there. But the words "for the time being" leave plenty of wiggle room for an international launch window. And what does Microsoft mean by the generically phrased, "future hardware experiences?" Are they referring to a Zune service destined to "transcend Zune the device" later this year? Perhaps. One thing is clear: consumers are far more excited about the Zune HD than the original -- especially now that Apple's cat is out of the bag. Microsoft could be leaving a ton of money on the table if they don't go global, quick.

[Thanks, Safir]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Zune HD International launch hopes crushed by Microsoft, others raised originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft says no plans for Zune HD in France, other markets still up in the air

Donald Melanson — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:41:00 EST

Those in the U.S. may finally be getting their hands on the Zune HD next week, but it looks like folks elsewhere could well be in for a longer wait than they may have been hoping for. That's been the speculation since the device was first announced, of course, but Microsoft is only now getting a bit more specific about the matter, with Microsoft France exec François Ruault telling PC World that the company has "no plans" to launch the Zune HD in France, although he adds that doesn't necessarily mean it'll never be released there. That presumably also means that the rest of Europe is similarly up in the air, but if past history is any indication, it seems likely that the Zune HD will indeed land there eventually, sometime after it finally makes a trip north of the border.

[Via MobileTechWorld]

Filed under: Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Microsoft says no plans for Zune HD in France, other markets still up in the air originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Third-gen Zune to hit in 2009, make it to Europe

Nilay Patel — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:58:00 EST

Seeing how long it took the Zune to make it over the northern border and into Canada, it shouldn't be any surprise that it's going to take even longer to get to Europe -- not until late next year, according to the director of Microsoft France. The wait should be worth it, though: that's when the third generation of Zunes will be released, as well as a Europe-friendly version of the Zune Marketplace. There are also some sketchy rumors that Windows Mobile 7 devices will be able to take advantage of Zune content and services, but it doesn't look like Microsoft has anything to say about that yet -- but if that goes down you know a Zune phone is right around the corner.

[Via Anything But iPod]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Third-gen Zune to hit in 2009, make it to Europe originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zune still may be coming to Europe this year -- maybe

Ryan Block — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 19:23:00 EST

Ok, so we finally heard back from Zune PR, and they were about as cagey as we always expect when it comes to statements about future moves in the market. Anyway, here's what they said about Sunday's meme that the player wouldn't be launching in Europe this year: in a nutshell, Ballmer was mistranslated, and did not say either way whether Zune is launching in Europe in 2007. "He emphasized -- as we've been saying all along -- that focus is important to us and the US has been our focus to date. He also reminded those readers that Zune is an investment for the company... a multi-year strategy... but we are currently not making any announcements about future launches." Ok, so it might have just been easier for Zune to come out and say it is (or isn't) in fact still launching in Europe this year, and you can still chalk up the above to a non-denial denial if you like. But it still seems plausible this year may yet hold good news for our cross-Atlantic pals anticipating a Microsoft player of their very own, so don't give up just yet.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Zune still may be coming to Europe this year -- maybe originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zune: not headed for Europe this year?

Ryan Block — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 22:21:00 EST

We regret to inform the iPod-harshing residents of France, Norway, Germany, Sweden, etc., but it sounds like Steve Ballmer told German publication Wirtschafts Woche that the Zune's European fall / winter launch has been pushed back into 2008, citing the fact that Microsoft is still very much so in a money-losing cycle on the product and doesn't yet want to branch out into new markets. Since we don't read German (and our Zune PR peoples are out enjoying their weekend, unlike us) we can't yet confirm the statement, but we've got news for ya Microsoft -- you're probably gonna be losing money on your Zune business for a long time (same as you still are with Xbox), so you'd better be prepared to go big or go home against the 800-pound gorilla.

[Via I4U]

Update: Looks like the statement may be rescinded, although Zune PR has yet to confirm one way or another. We'll let you know when we learn more.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Zune: not headed for Europe this year? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Jun 2007 22:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Can Europe start dreaming about a brown (Zune) Christmas?

Evan Blass — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 11:41:00 EST

Although it didn't seem like our European readership was too broken up over reports that the Zune wouldn't hit their shores until as late as 2008 ("I didn't want to buy one of those crappy things anyway, the Americans can keep them," declared one disinterested commenter), we're sure there are at least a couple less vocal readers out there who will be stoked to learn that Microsoft may be inviting them to "the social" as early as the end of this year. According to Marketing Director Jason Reindorp, "The industry moves in this sort of Christmas to Christmas cycle [gee, really? - ed.]...[therefore] our next round of introductions will probably be in time for the holiday of this year." Speaking to attendees at the annual Midem Net music industry conference in France, Reindorp went on to say that Microsoft execs "feel really good about the first steps that we've taken," and that rather than target the iPod immediately, Zune is on a three-year plan to "firmly and solidly get on the radar." Foolish aspiration, you say? Maybe, but just remember how several years ago some people thought that it was silly for Microsoft to try and break into console gaming -- now we can barely pull enough Engadget editors away from multiplayer Gears of War to run the damn site.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Can Europe start dreaming about a brown (Zune) Christmas? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 21 Jan 2007 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Logitech announces X-240 PC speaker system / DAP dock

Darren Murph — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 15:12:00 EST

It seems that Logitech has exhausted its efforts on DAP-centric speaker docks (not really), as its latest creation is a 2.1 PC speaker system that just so happens to double as a docking station for your PDA, DAP, PMP, or other PC-connecting gizmo. Sporting an all black motif, the system features twin 5-watt stereo speakers, a 15-watt subwoofer, headphone jack, "convenient volume and power controls," and a stowaway device cradle that allows you to sync up your gadgetry with your PC while it recharges. The package also includes a standard 3.5-millimeter stereo cable, "cradle trays" for your iPod, iPod video, iPod nano, and Microsoft Zune, and when the dock becomes too much hassle for what it's worth, you can simply disconnect it without interfering with the speakers. Slated to hit retail outlets in the US in April, Europeans can look for these come May, and while we doubt audiophiles even read this far, you budget-minded folk should enjoy the fairly reasonable $49.99 pricetag.

Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio

Logitech announces X-240 PC speaker system / DAP dock originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Jan 2007 15:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zune won't hit the UK until 2008?

Evan Blass — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 10:32:00 EST

It's a good thing that Europeans don't mind waiting for "kit" that's been released in other regions of the world months earlier, because according to a Microsoft exec, the WiFi-enabled Zune may not hit the UK until sometime in 2008 -- well over a year after its US launch. According to Dene Schonknecht, the company's media and entertainment alliance manager, "the earliest date it will be in the UK is towards the end of 2007. However, it could easily be 2008." Schonknecht told New Media Age (subscription required) the reason for the delay is that "we haven't yet selected a music store provider to build Marketplace in the UK, which means we're way off launch," although now that a Zune International head has been appointed, at least there's someone to spearhead the project. Overall, it's not shaping up to be a very merry Christmas for the Brits -- while Americans will be busy playing their new PS3s and rocking out to their new Zunes, our friends across the pond will have to settle for the same old crap that was available last year.

[Via MCV, thanks Tob3z]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Zune won't hit the UK until 2008? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Oct 2006 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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