Zune Software Planned For Other Devices

Ed Sutherland ()

zune.jpgZune software and hardware efforts are going separate paths, with Zune services expected to appear on non-Microsoft devices later this year, reports said Friday.

The Media Center/Mediaroom unit will take charge of the Zune services while Windows Mobile will direct Zune hardware.

Enrique Rodriguez, who heads the new Zune software efforts, told CNET his goal is to “make sure the service comes into every device.”

Devices based on Zune are expected to appear following the September release of Windows Mobile 6.5, according to reports.

In related news, Microsoft announced it would open retail outlets, an apparent bid to compete with similar Apple locations.

Although details remain unclear, the retail effort by Microsoft will be lead by a former Wal-Mart manager and DreamWorks Animation executive, according to Apple Insider.

The motivation for the new retail push was to make the Microsoft buying experience “clear, simple and straightforward for consumers everywhere, ” Kevin Turner, operations head for the software giant, told Reuters.

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About the author

Ed Sutherland

Ed Sutherland is a veteran technology journalist who first heard of Apple when they grew on trees, Yahoo was run out of a Stanford dorm and Google was an unknown upstart. Since then, Sutherland has covered the whole technology landscape, concentrating on tracking the trends and figuring out the finances of large (and small) technology companies.

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  • http://www.coffeerama.com coffee

    The Zune seems like a decent piece of hardware, though after the New Year’s issues it had, i can’t help but question it’s reliability

  • imajoebob

    Zune® Software: Bringing the Blue Screen of Death to a platform near you.

  • nameless

    That was only the original 30 gig model, and the problem cleared up in a day. I wouldn’t hold it against Microsoft, at least their products don’t explode in your pocket.

  • thekitchensink

    “clear, simple and straightforward for consumers everywhere”

    hahahahah yeah… thats why I bought a mac

  • notnarrowminded

    The Zune rocks! I have two of them, and have never looked back at the ipod. People criticize MS for being too big – but buy the ipod which monopolizes the market, because they narrow-mindedly think that anything Apple makes is flawless. I have a mini, and IT AINT FLAWLESS. Pay more and allow yourself to be swayed by the constant Mac/PC commercials – they saw you coming!

    Credit where credit is due: wifi, radio w/tagging, play through xbox 360, zunepass, much cheaper, etc. Zune is straight up more for less.

    But then again, I wouldn’t expect to see unbiased opinions on sight such as “cultofmac”.