Zune 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.
Thursday, Apple realigned its retail stores to focus more on software and applications.
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.
