More Zune phone tease

03 Oct

Posted by Aaron J. Walker as Microsoft, Other Gadgets, Windows Talk

Now that I have been proven completely wrong about the announcement of the Zune 2, (I found out too late it was under an embargo) I have still followed the new release to see what other information could be gleaned.

In a surprise statement (for its candor) from J. Allard, Corporate Vice President, Design and Development, Entertainment and Devices Division for Microsoft (the guy behind the Zune and had a hand in the original XBox), pulled by the curtain a little to confirm that a Zune phone at some point in the future, may definitely be an option, somewhere down the road.

Speaking with MocoNews.net, Allard responded to the question:

So are there any thoughts about a Zune phone?
“A: (Points to head) Yes. (Points to mouth) No. (Laughs) The thing we are focusing on is that Zune is music first. We think there is a lot of runway first in redefining the music experience with partners. That said, we built it on the same operating system as that phone right there. (Points to Motorola Q running Windows Mobile) So we have the flexibility to take these in a different direction where our customers, our partners and we are ready.”

So, seems Microsoft is certainly headed in the direction of a Zune phone and I wouldn't be surprised if there is an unofficial prototype or two floating around MS HQ. It is in keeping with the normal tactics of creating corporate confusion when big corporations slug it out that a Zune Phone will someday be unleashed on the world as Mindy Mount said back in early September.

As for now, we will have to wait and see. But, I do like J. Allard's answer which would lead me to believe we may see the Zune phone sooner rather than later.

2 Responses

GoodThings2Life

October 3rd, 2007 at 10:18 am
1

Oh I definitely agree that the Zune Phone is only a matter of time coming. I wouldn’t be surprised to see one next fall, but I can understand why Microsoft is hesitant to discuss it at this point. It’s just bad marketing to discuss products until they’re a reality.
Contributing Writer, Aaron J. Walker

October 3rd, 2007 at 10:40 am
2

Thanks for the comment GoodThings2Life.

As far as the marketing angle, they’ve actually already started. Everytime it comes up, some Microsoft exec says something to the effect of its coming.

And since it’s built on top of Windows Mobile, all it takes is the right partner design and… well, there it is. Or, since they’ve taken over more of the manufacturing of the Zune and Zune 2, I wouldn’t be surprised if there isn’t probably a prototype or two somewhere.