Microsoft confirms Zune coming to Windows Mobile devices
By Tom Warren, 02 October 2008 - 21:30 15 comments
It has been long rumoured that Microsoft would introduce Zune software onto the Windows Mobile operating system.
In an interview with CIO magazine Steve Ballmer confirms that Microsoft is looking to port the software to Windows Mobile devices.
When questioned why Microsoft developed the zune, Ballmer replied:
"At the end of the day, one of the big trends is that all content is going digital. And if we don't have the software and services that are useful, helpful and valuable for the consumption of music and video, we are sort of not really a player.
Now, we built the Zune hardware with the Zune software - and what you'll see more and more over time is that the Zune software will also be ported to and be more important not just with the hardware but on the PC, on Windows Mobile devices, etc."
This is the strongest indication that Microsoft will be porting the software. We're not sure when exactly but you can bet that Windows Mobile 7 will have it included.
Comments (15)
E.Fahd - 02 October 2008 - 22:35
Umm ... that's just going to kill the Zune Player !
morphen - 03 October 2008 - 06:01
thats like saying that iphone killed ipod :p
and THAT did not happen.
bob_c_b - 02 October 2008 - 22:41
No it won't, there are plenty of people who want seperate devices. Overall it's good as the Zune software is excellent.
+Shadrack - 03 October 2008 - 14:47
Absolutely. This may make me have to get a Windows Mobile phone for my next upgrade. Excellent news.
GreyWolf - 02 October 2008 - 22:51
Sounds like an excellent idea!
AA0516 - 02 October 2008 - 23:07
Why do I have this strange feeling in the later future Windows Media Player will cease to exist on windows, and be replaced by "Zune Media Player"
JamesWeb - 02 October 2008 - 23:17
I love an article that uses 'confirms' in the title and finishes with 'This is the strongest indication...'
ahhell - 03 October 2008 - 00:19
Smart move by MS.
The zune kicks ass by the way.
Shiranui - 03 October 2008 - 01:04
Now just release Zune outside 'merica and I'll be happy.
+Xerxes - 03 October 2008 - 01:06
meh..why can't they work on getting the Zune released in more countries first? It's all great and all for the people who live in North America and the few other countries that seem to have the Zune now...but when the rest of us getting the damn thing? version 2 is been out for a while with version 3 no far away and we (Australia* at least) haven't seen version 1!
* = Yes I know Australia is a tiny market that nobody cares about :P but if Apple can be bothered to release the iPod here, then MS has no excuse for not releasing the Zune here...well I think so anyway!
Baked - 03 October 2008 - 11:24
* = Yes I know Australia is a tiny market that nobody cares about :P but if Apple can be bothered to release the iPod here, then MS has no excuse for not releasing the Zune here...well I think so anyway!
Yep I've been waiting for the release as well, Its no wonder Apple Own the portable Music Market!!
MS at a zillion times bigger but yet we're still waiting for them here in Oz!!
Wake up MS other people want a zune too.
loople - 03 October 2008 - 09:40
Good news. I hope they port it soon. Mobile WMP is awful. AWFUL.
Lare2 - 03 October 2008 - 13:51
Finally neowin changed the pic when posting zune related news
+Shadrack - 03 October 2008 - 14:48
That was my thought too! Nice image!
dimithrak - 03 October 2008 - 23:40
The reason I bought the iphone apart from the fact that it looks slick and works great... but now ever since i heard this.. I just cant wait to see what MS does to the new version of Windows Mobile.... this is VERY VERY GOOD NEWS!