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RIP Microsoft Zune brand

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Re: RIP Microsoft Zune brand

#3
This seems like a silly move to me. I would have expected a zune running Phone 7 to help push the OS to more users. I would love to have a Phone 7 device to hack around on, but I've already got a phone and data plan.

Re: RIP Microsoft Zune brand

#4
So no more iPod Touch competitor? Perhaps it'll exist, but not be called the Zune HD (and run WP7 Apps). In fact, that would be quite cool (esp. if Nokia is in on this operation).

Re: RIP Microsoft Zune brand

#5
post #3

This seems like a silly move to me. I would have expected a zune running Phone 7 to help push the OS to more users. I would love to have a Phone 7 device to hack around on, but I've already got a phone and data plan.

It would make sense, as a way to build market share, to turn Zune into the WP7's iPod touch. From a developer perspective, that is a powerful additional number of users.

Re: RIP Microsoft Zune brand

#6
post #3

This seems like a silly move to me. I would have expected a zune running Phone 7 to help push the OS to more users. I would love to have a Phone 7 device to hack around on, but I've already got a phone and data plan.

It would make sense, as a way to build market share, to turn Zune into the WP7's iPod touch. From a developer perspective, that is a powerful additional number of users.

When you say "Zune" to your average consumer, all you get is laughter. The tech might have been good, but in my (humble) opinion, ditching the brand and all it's baggage is a very good idea.

Re: RIP Microsoft Zune brand

#7
Another Microsoft digital media strategy reset? Has it been 5 years already?

At least the Zune Marketplace went DRM-free, so people won't get shafted like all those PlaysForSure media buyers.

Re: RIP Microsoft Zune brand

#8
Yet another spin on the Microsoft brand carousel. Someone over there seems to think that if they give their product a certain name then people will start buying it. Zune seemed like a good brand. The products were of high quality and had good reputations. I feel like a few well placed articles titled "Zune: Microsoft's quiet success" or "Microsoft becomes the underdog with Zune" would have gone a long way.

Re: RIP Microsoft Zune brand

#9
Although the Zune was largely a failure in terms of overall market share, it wasn't a bad product offering.

* The Zune Pass was an excellent way to get music for a flat monthly rate, and the selection and price was competitive with Rhapsody and other services.

* Zune hardware was always top-notch, with Zune devices having FM or HD radio. The Zune HD was particularly nice.

* Zune Social was somewhat similar to last.fm and provided useful music recommendations.

* Zune offered DRM-free music, in addition to DRM-locked music for the Zune Pass.

* The (Windows-only) client software was very well designed, and superior in usability to iTunes (IMO).

I would be disappointed to see the Zune name go, but sometimes good products fail in the market.

Re: RIP Microsoft Zune brand

#10
I think Windows Phone 7 really suffers from the lack of unique branding. It doesn't have a unique product name like Android or iPhone; even 'Zune Mobile' would have been better, Windows Phone 7 doesn't evoke anything and just sounds like a technical specification.
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