The Competition: Microsoft “is so!” Making a Pink Zune Phone to Take on the iPhone?
Despite frequent, repeated denials from Microsoft that they aren’t making a Zune Phone to pit against Apple’s iPhone juggernaut, our sibling site WMExperts keeps compiling evidence that Microsoft might be doing just that.
The latest is that Pink (as it’s code-named) has an ad agency, will be based on Windows Mobile 7 but have it’s own proprietary UI layer, should be available next year-ish, and provide Zune, My Phone, and Windows Marketplace for Mobiles functionality.
So have Microsoft’s previous denials been based on crossed fingers and the “truthiness” of actually making a Zune HD Phone? Or as TiPb has been predicting, an Xbox Phone?
Let’s face it, Microsoft would be negligent and borderline daft not to integrate the technologies and leverage the brand of Xbox.
Oh, wait…
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:44 am
hahaha, so not even Microsoft thinks the Windows Mobile interface is any good.
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:51 am
“Zune, My Phone, and Windows Marketplace for Mobiles functionality” All of these are the equivalent of iPhone, Mobile Me & App Store. Goodness! Microsoft have to be the king of all the “me too” companies out there!
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:53 am
Except that Microsoft has had Mobile Me functionality through Live before Apple released their version…
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:54 am
HAHA, the phone for ****, 10 times a day bluescreens and reboots. i would definitly prefer microsofts zune phone
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:56 am
Why cant MS just make a useable interface instead of some 10 year old recycled piece of ****?
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:22 am
Really? A device that plays music AND can dial phone numbers? This is a total rip-off of the iPhone. No other device has EVER been capable of this.
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:27 am
The more failed copies Microsoft attempts the stronger apple gets. IMO if apple sold osx to oem companies they would put a serious hurt on Microsoft
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:38 am
If someone can give me a big reason to back away and get out of iTunes, I’d be a happy camper. At least the Zune software automatically updates my library when new music is added to my folders…that’s why i have an 80GB zune for my music, but I doubt MS will ever be able to replace my iPhone.
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:56 am
@ Tom: There is no way that Apple would relinquish that kind of control. Right now, it has control over the hardware aspects, but if they were to release OSX to OEMs, they would slowly end up in the same boat as MS where operating systems are concerned. That is one of the reasons that the iPhone and OSX are so stble…because they control the hardware as well
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:15 am
If it’s anything like the Zune HD….nice.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:35 am
@Chris, there is an option to auto update your iPhone/iPod when plugged in. Or are you talking about the organization of music, because that is in iTunes as well. When you did the set up, it asks “Do you want to let iTunes organize and manage your music” or “No I’d like to Manage my music myself”. So really I’m not sure what you’re getting at there with your comment??
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:01 am
If it’s like the Zune HD then the Zune Phone could be a very good competitor. The Zune has an excellent software interface, support, and great functionality.
If they have the same passion they have with Windows 7 and the Xbox Platform the Zune Phone could very well be a game changer. Never count Microsoft out.
Oh and quit with the idea that Apple will someday be able to take out Microsoft. Microsoft is too big, has too much of a hold on PCs, is too tightly integrated in our life to be taken out. Apple is only hanging on because of the success of the Ipod and more recently the Iphone.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:09 am
@Richard, I think what he means is the Zune will sync wirelessly over wifi automatically. Nice feature.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:09 am
Well Engadget has it posted that it’s going to be more so along the lines of “Sidekick” oriented phone.
Aiming towards that crowd. Not really a “iPhone” fighter
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:10 am
That iPhone looks like it’s playing paper rock scissors.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:24 am
Though I have an iPhone and am very happy with it, I agree with Truth. I have been (and still continue to be) a huge PC person (and subsequently go w/ Microsoft products)…this sort of competition is good. Not only will it force Microsoft to make better products (so it doesn’t lose to Apple) it will make Apple continue to make awesome products (to try and not lose to Microsoft).
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:28 am
Truth, you should rename yourself to “myTruth”!
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:56 am
I see a lot of * + # + 0 for reset in the future.
Someone had to say it.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:56 am
truth (lol) you recall the company referred to as “Big Blue”? Well, they were too big too. Not any longer. Now, Mr. Ballmer, go give away more PC laptops so you can pretend people actually would choose one over a Mac.
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:05 pm
@ richard
I’ve tried setting all these up, but iTunes has never turned on, noticed I’ve put a new folder (album) in my music directory and then imported it into my Music library automatically. I’ve always had to do it manually. The zune software picks up on it almost as soon as i put it into the folder and i never have to worry about it.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Apple, just me and iTunes have never seen eye to eye.
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:43 pm
@scottb
pc + win7 is superior in every way to anything apple has ever put out. More open more options faster os more stable and not to mention cheAper.
July 4th, 2009 at 6:28 am
Truth is like PC in the ads delusional and pathetic. Microsoft makes mediocre software and the Zune has been fail and lulz. The only reason MS has been succesful is in that they cater to the lowest common denominator. It’s like comparing Beer to Scotch. That being said I love my 360 at least until an Apple console comes along.
July 5th, 2009 at 2:35 am
@neonrox-u r the delusional one, apple’s computers are their consoles in their mind. and therefore apple as it sees it has no reason to make a console. If they did, however…Where’s that m80? dang it i just had it. hmmm must have used it on my friend’s iPod. I am an apple lover i just find iPod too popular.