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Microsoft: We have no plans to create a Zune phone

Tom Warren
27 January 2010 - 07:49
27 Comments
Liked this (3)

On Tuesday references to a "Zune Phone" were found in the latest software for the Zune HD.

Neowin questioned Microsoft over the findings but a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed "we have no plans to create a Zune phone." The spokesperson also stated that one day Zune could be "part of the phone experience" but added there had been no announcements by the software giant regarding how or if that would happen.

So if there's no Zune Phone what exactly are the references to phones in the Zune software? Neowin believes the updates are for Windows Mobile 7 enabled devices. The Zune software would then support a device or number of devices in a similar way to Apple's iTunes software. We're already aware that a number of key OEMs, working closely with Microsoft, have been sent strict requirements for Windows Mobile 7 including capacitive touch screen support, compass and GPS functionality.

Rumours of a Zune Phone and "pink" devices have been circulating for years now and Mary Jo Foley notes that every time Microsoft employees or executives are questioned over the possibility there's strong denials. However, Microsoft always strongly denied they would brand an MP3 device, aka the Zune. If a recent Microsoft job listing is anything to go by then the fact the company is looking to employee an individual with "working knowledge of cell-phone 2G and 3G technologies" certainly reveals that it's something they are considering for the future.

Regardless of what this software references, the reality of Windows Mobile 7 and its Zune like interface is expected to be revealed next month at the Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona.

Comments (27)

  1. MisticRain - 27 January 2010 - 08:07

    maybe the mediaplayer of the WM7 will be changed to zune software? that would be nice !!

  2. Soldiers33 - 27 January 2010 - 08:56

    MisticRain said,
    maybe the mediaplayer of the WM7 will be changed to zune software? that would be nice !!

    thats exactly what I thought

  3. Weissmeister - 27 January 2010 - 09:07

    MisticRain said,
    maybe the mediaplayer of the WM7 will be changed to zune software? that would be nice !!

    I'd be glad if media player of desktop Windows was changed to Zune Software.

  4. +++iHazCool - 27 January 2010 - 09:10

    Soldiers33 said,

    thats exactly what I thought

    Sounds a bit iPhonish. lol

  5. GP007 - 27 January 2010 - 09:14

    MisticRain said,
    maybe the mediaplayer of the WM7 will be changed to zune software? that would be nice !!

    That's what's going to happen, it won't be exactly the same UI as the ZuneHD though, it'll have to match with the rest of the WM7 UI so we'll have to wait and see, but the code under the UI will be the same imo.

  6. Mike Chipshop - 27 January 2010 - 09:29

    MisticRain said,
    maybe the mediaplayer of the WM7 will be changed to zune software? that would be nice !!

    I would also like this but extra work would have to go on under the zunes hood as it does lack a few features.

  7. Subject Delta - 27 January 2010 - 16:04

    MisticRain said,
    maybe the mediaplayer of the WM7 will be changed to zune software? that would be nice !!

    Makes sense, if you add media functionality to WM7 similar to that in the iPhone, it would give it more consumer appeal, and make WM7 a more direct competitor for the iPhone platform. As soon as I saw the USB ID's I thought it was just so that WM7 phones could be synced with the Zune software.

  8. lordcanti86 - 27 January 2010 - 08:24

    My guess would be that some form of Zune software will be coming to WinMobile

  9. Digitalx - 27 January 2010 - 08:32

    Probably if there's a consumer/media orientated edition of Winmo 7 Zune software will be like itunes is to iphone.

  10. Osiris - 27 January 2010 - 09:01

    It would be silly for them not to incorporate the ZuneHD's media capabilities into WinMo7, WinMo7 consumer edition is expected to be highly graphics rich like the ZuneHD and MS is very big on integration etc. On the other hand Apple, and Google both have their respective flagships imagine if the HD2 was the MS phone, WIth WInMo7 it would be interesting.

  11. guru - 27 January 2010 - 09:08

    this is foolish from MS. If anyone trawls engadget,gizmodo... insert gadgetsite here Its clear by now that everyone and their dog wants a zunephone.
    i guess its fun to be on the Windows/office gravy train, instead of innovating...

    Edit (guru, 27 January 2010 - 09:10):

  12. GP007 - 27 January 2010 - 09:17

    guru said,
    this is foolish from MS. If anyone trawls engadget,gizmodo... insert gadgetsite here Its clear by now that everyone and their dog wants a zunephone.
    i guess its fun to be on the Windows/office gravy train, instead of innovating...

    It's like this, even though MS can make their own device (ZunePhone) and probably tick off a few partners, and also raise spending costs for the E&D devision yet again OR they can just make the Zune player software part of EVERY WM7 phone so that instead of one ZunePhone MS ends up with 5, 10, or 20 of them on the market at no extra cost to MS either.

    Which option would you pick? As far as I'm concerned option 2 is what MS is going with, and this is why it's got lots of partners in the space still sticking with WinMo even though most around here are ready to call it dead.

  13. guru - 27 January 2010 - 09:34

    GP007 said,

    It's like this, even though MS can make their own device (ZunePhone) and probably tick off a few partners, and also raise spending costs for the E&D devision yet again OR they can just make the Zune player software part of EVERY WM7 phone so that instead of one ZunePhone MS ends up with 5, 10, or 20 of them on the market at no extra cost to MS either.

    Which option would you pick? As far as I'm concerned option 2 is what MS is going with, and this is why it's got lots of partners in the space still sticking with WinMo even though most around here are ready to call it dead.

    well by that logic, MS should have never made Zune HD instead should have released the software to every OEM that was interested. even xbox for that matter, they could have released the graphic apis to any any OEM console maker that was interested ?

    anyway, i'd think with phones and consoles, with closer to metal software , unlike a PC its better for a company to own more than just the sw.

    Edit (guru, 27 January 2010 - 09:38):

  14. GP007 - 27 January 2010 - 09:54

    guru said,

    well by that logic, MS should have never made Zune HD instead should have released the software to every OEM that was interested. even xbox for that matter, they could have released the graphic apis to any any OEM console maker that was interested ?

    anyway, i'd think with phones and consoles, with closer to metal software , unlike a PC its better for a company to own more than just the sw.

    The Zune and the ZuneHD devices have a role though, the point is to build the brand "Zune" up. It's like how Apple has built iTunes up using the iPod in a sense. MS was never really trying to make the Zune the #1 PMP on the market, just build a solid base for the brand and then leverage the Zune Marketplace to other things. Thus it's found its way on the 360, and on the PC already ofc, next is the Windows Phones.

    MS will have a device like the ZuneHD around for those who don't want a phone ofc, but it's secondary to the overall goal they have in mind.

    The Xbox that you bring up is different, consoles/video games are a different market and a different beast, MS does release APIs anyways, that's what DX is for. But you can't put the video game market and the phone market in the same sorta box and use the same business model for both.

    MS could have a phone of it's own, whatever project pink ends up being, but it'll be in the shadow of the bigger WM7 phones made by MS's partners like LG and HTC.

  15. thenetavenger - 27 January 2010 - 11:19

    guru said,

    well by that logic, MS should have never made Zune HD instead should have released the software to every OEM that was interested. even xbox for that matter, they could have released the graphic apis to any any OEM console maker that was interested ?

    anyway, i'd think with phones and consoles, with closer to metal software , unlike a PC its better for a company to own more than just the sw.

    They already do...

    The Zune HD is just running WinCE, and supports the standard Mobile DX technology anyone can use on any WinCE or WinMo device already. You can already use XNA to create games that use DX and Mobile DX so games run on the XBox, the PC, the Zune, and OTHER WinMo devices that have the hardware for Mobile DX.

    Zune is just a 'consumer' endpoint product that fills in a market gap for an online Martketplace that unlike iTunes offers a nice subscription and has the leverage to get the labels that other providers couldn't do like Napster, etc.

    The Zune ecosystem has replaced the XBox Live Video services, and offers unlimited access to Music content for a monthly subscription. As it expands, all WinMo phones will be able to use the Zune marketplace, just as Windows PCs and the XBox can already. (XBox only has added the Zune Video marketplace, but will be adding the Audio soon.)

    Zune is a service and a device, and the device side will eventually open up to any partner running WinCE/WinMo/Windows for the marketplace content.

    The Zune HD was needed to create a successful device with a direct tie to the Zune Marketplace or the server side would remained fragmented as it was when left to WMP and Plays4Sure.

    If Microsoft didn't make the Zune HD, there would be no good player market for the Zune Marketplace/Content, and this is important for the services to be successful.

    It is kind of like a Cable Company giving you a Box to get 'enhanced' content until more TVs support Digital tuners and CableCard, etc... Without a way to play the content the Cable Companies service would also be worthless.

    And right now, nothing compares to the Zune except the iPod Touch, and Apple will not let anyone use their iPod with anything but iTunes.

    (Most would argue the Zune is the best device right now, as it is faster than the iPod Touch, has a better screen, is more touch responsive, and can push graphics on par with the origianl XBox. So even the iPod Touch if Apple were to open it up to other services would not even fill this gap.)

  16. guru - 27 January 2010 - 12:23

    GP007 said,

    The Zune and the ZuneHD devices have a role though, the point is to build the brand "Zune" up. It's like how Apple has built iTunes up using the iPod in a sense. MS was never really trying to make the Zune the #1 PMP on the market, just build a solid base for the brand and then leverage the Zune Marketplace to other things. Thus it's found its way on the 360, and on the PC already ofc, next is the Windows Phones.


    Windows media player could have had Zune SW features if its just Software and Branding issue. notice that Microsoft needed to release Zune Hardware to build the userbase. A Phone wouldn't be any different. even Google had to come up with their own phone.
    lets look at it from a user perspective instead of a business model perspective.
    Like Iphone, Zune phone makes sense for the same reasons. a single device thats a PMP and a Phone. Even thats not enough these days, you also need to have app and games.
    then would we have a samsung or sony only WM7 app?

    GP007 said,

    MS will have a device like the ZuneHD around for those who don't want a phone ofc, but it's secondary to the overall goal they have in mind.

    i dont get the logic there either. The fact is Zune HD is good PMP and Zune pass makes lot of sense and considering there isn't a PMP maker running zune software.. It just doesn't make sense for MS to give away, where there is an opportunity to be made. for example not releasing Zune HD outside of US.
    GP007 said,

    The Xbox that you bring up is different, consoles/video games are a different market and a different beast, MS does release APIs anyways, that's what DX is for. But you can't put the video game market and the phone market in the same sorta box and use the same business model for both.

    ok but handheld gaming and phone is the next convergence device. thats the merger of zune and xbox team makes sense. but unlike xbox again MS doesn't have its own phone hardware

  17. GP007 - 27 January 2010 - 13:24

    guru said,

    ok but handheld gaming and phone is the next convergence device. thats the merger of zune and xbox team makes sense. but unlike xbox again MS doesn't have its own phone hardware

    If all MS wants is to push the Zune marketplace more and sell content than it doesn't really need it's own ZunePhone if every WM7 phone will have that option. MS still makes money and gets it's cut without added costs of making a device. The Zune devices themselfs got the ball going and so on but it's not like you to miss out on the chance to sell content to way more people using a Windows Phone as well. Why offer the option only on a Zune Phone and not on every windows phone?

    In the end, MS doesn't have to make it's own Zune phone brand like the nexus one per say. It can sell the whole thing pre-packaged to a device maker/carrier, take a chunk of the profits, PLUS make any profits off of the marketplace video/music/games it will sell. All of that without spending on making the phone. It works out well, unlike in other markets like video games where you have to have your own hardware and push that so you can make it up with licensing and royalties from each game sold.

    I don't understand why you can't see the logic in it really. If they make a Zune Phone and sell it fine, but it'll be a minority % of the overall Windows Phone userbase in the end. So even if they don't, and just make every Windows Phone able to use the Zune Marketplace they also win and grow Zune through that, like they are growing it through Xbox. I bet more people use Zune marketplace on Xbox who don't even own a ZuneHD than those who do.

  18. guru - 27 January 2010 - 16:27

    and exactly how many PMP makers have taken up WinCE and mobile DX ?

    thenetavenger said,

    If Microsoft didn't make the Zune HD, there would be no good player market for the Zune Marketplace/Content, and this is important for the services to be successful.

    Microsoft could have partnered with iRiver or a number of other PMP makers out there and gotten a PMP out that uses Zune Market place ?.

    They didn't instead made their own hardware even after a couple of failed attempts till Zune HD. My guess is that its because they wanted to ensure that the marketplace/idea was implemented the way its meant to be, rather than leave it to the whims of PMP maker
    i dont see why a Phone would be any different.

    thenetavenger said,

    And right now, nothing compares to the Zune except the iPod Touch, and Apple will not let anyone use their iPod with anything but iTunes.

    agree but you cant say the same thing about phones :P

    Edit (guru, 27 January 2010 - 16:29):

  19. dotf - 28 January 2010 - 01:24

    guru said,
    ... even xbox for that matter, they could have released the graphic apis to any any OEM console maker that was interested ?

    They (Microsoft) learned from 3DO.

  20. Einlander - 27 January 2010 - 10:31

    What? no plans?
    CONFIRMED ZUNE PHONE

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