Microsoft pulls plug on Zune hardware

By on Oct 4, 2011 at 9:10 AM
mobile October 4, 2011

Following a premature 21-gun salute on Monday afternoon when Microsoft accidentally erased the Zune player from its Zune webpage a bit early, the Redmond-based company has now confirmed that the Zune player has been laid to rest. First released just ahead of the holidays in 2006, Microsoft’s Zune player was a clear attempt to divert dollars from Apple’s iPod line and in that respect, it failed somewhat epically. The Zune player is survived by Zune software, however — a multimedia experience that will live on in Windows Phones, on the Xbox 360 and on personal computers around the world. Rest in peace, little buddy. Microsoft’s statement follows below.

We recently announced that, going forward, Windows Phone will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy, and that we will no longer be producing Zune players. So what does this mean for our current Zune users? Absolutely nothing. Your device will continue to work with Zune services just as it does today. And we will continue to honor the warranties of all devices for both current owners and those who buy our very last devices. Customer service has been, and will remain a top priority for us.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/applelover Tim Meesseman

    “So what does this mean for our current Zune users? Absolutely nothing.”

    Not exactly. It means when your Zune dies, you’re SOL unless you want a used one on eBay.

    • Anonymous

      That’s the typical lifecycle of a Microsoft product: launch; fail; eBay!

      • Anonymous

        Hey is that you in the picture? You douche. Or is that norm? The android logo is on his arse..

      • Anonymous

        That’s your dyky’ Mamma (after she lost 200lbs; she still has 300 to go)!

        Ha-Ha!!!!!!

        BTW, Today is National tAmpon Day; are you pulling out that old tAmpon for the new one?

      • somedude0123

        I think it’s Geller.

  • Anonymous

    How appropriate, I didn’t know Scroat was the “poster child” for MS Zune.

    He should get out more [and maybe exercise]?

    True Story™®©π√

  • qbarrel

    Too bad. I love my Zune HD. I traded in my iPod Nano for it almost 2 years ago and have never looked back.  It’s a shame more folks didn’t give it a chance, especially considering the vastly superior Zune Pass service and software.

    • Michale11111

      They didn’t give it a chance because they didn’t need to when it so clearly sucks.

      IPod Nano? Are you kidding me?

    • http://twitter.com/ttrteam the tech reveiw

      i agree with you, Ive had an ipod and a zune, and the players would always deliver excellent quality music and videos, way better then the ipod touch. Now ppl have been brainwashed into thinking that ipod was better but when used, you can tell the Zune was a totally better product. Too bad Microsoft gave up on this. Hopefully one day they will revive it. 

  • http://twitter.com/Aleis Jayrock

    so…where is the story about how the iPhone sucks in India!
    being beat by the blackberry there! that’s pathetic!

    • Anonymous

      I heard it doesn’t sell well on the moon either.

    • numetheus

      People are India like their phones cheap. It is also one of the top places for dumbphones. They choose Blackberry because of the price. You don’t exactly look at the full picture right? You are like a mindless drone that sees one thing and attacks. Maybe your stupid looking hat is on too tight DJ Jazzy Jeff wanna-be.

      • http://twitter.com/Aleis Jayrock

        finally i can reply to the steroid guy! :)

        being from philly…jazzy jeff is an ok guy to emulate. on the technology front…DUDE! u know not what you speak. yeah it was bait…the real reason they dont sale is because people in india feel they wont be able to utilize its features because of the lack of 3g. but people in india still use android because of its hack-ability from what i`ve read. iphone…not so much. they dont want to be on steve jobs prostate :) OWNED.

      • numetheus

        Negative. The black market for phones in India is HUGE. Phones are bought for cheap. There are lots of iPhones sold there, but mainly the only people that buy them are wealthy. Before I went Android, I have ALWAYS sold my unlocked iPhone to people who would just ship them there, cleaned up, and sold on the market. It is the same way in the Philippines where I am from. You can EASILY get cheap blackberry phones that way. Although, it is much worse in India. Blackberry phones are readily available that way.

  • Anonymous

    So, to paraphrase Twain, it turns out that rumours of Zune’s survival had been greatly exaggerated?

  • Applesucksfatties

    Generally, Microsoft products are hit or miss for me.. but I really liked my Zune.  The interface was easy to use.  The Zune software was relatively simple to navigate..and it sync’d up with my Xbox 360.   I’m going to have to buy another Zune HD for a spare, in case mine craps out on me.

    • Michale11111

      Little worth saying to a guy who would call himself “APPLESUCKSFATTIES” and actually is willing to publicly admit he liked Zune. Aside from XBox you really need to get over Apple making a superior products and software. Put the zeal of apple fanbois aside and accept reality.

      • Applesucksfatties

        I’m not sure if you understand English.. but I don’t like Apple products.

      • Homer

        I like the Zune too and I am willing to publicly admit it, just because the iPod is the popular choice doesn’t mean that it’s everyone’s preference and that it is “superior”… Yeah the iPod has oodles of apps but when it comes to the using the device as an mp3 player (which is all that I personally care about) I would take the Zune over the iPod any day. The Zune HD has great equalizer settings and I beleive the iPod doesn’t have any at all, and in my opinion the Zunes organization shits all over the iPod. Also I wouldn’t ever want to deal with the iTunes nightmares that I see the majority of my friends go through.

  • http://twitter.com/supertino Super Tino

    They wanted to one-up the iPod discontinuation announcement by a day.

  • http://rmbo47.myopenid.com/ rmbo47

    Hahahahaha. That picture is funny because he’s fat.

  • http://rmbo47.myopenid.com/ rmbo47

    So will Bill Gates now give in and allow his kids to buy iPods? 

  • Anonymous

    Even thou Zune hardware is on the way out any Windows Phone user can be thankful MS created Zune. It lives on but without the large storage offered by a stand alone device such as Zune and iPod Classic, kinda blows for us with large collections.

  • Applesucksfatties

    This is exactly what I picture Max to look like…. a total toolshed with a mullet that has pictures on the wall of his bedroom in the basement … of his mother’s house.

  • Anonymous

    Wise move Microsoft. The Apple IPod RULES.

    • Anonymous

      Microsoft.. a copycat company

  • Anonymous

    Having that guy walking around with the Zune logo on his arm probably didn’t help sales.

    • Anonymous

      Lol

    • Michale11111

      Isn’t that Steve Ballmer?

  • Anonymous

    What’s a Zune?

  • Michale11111

    Another failure under Ballmer’s leadership. How not unsurprising. That this fat snake oil salesman still has his job is unreal.

  • Anonymous

    Microsoft = Fail

  • Homer

    This kinda sucks, I love my Zune HD. :(

  • Hemdroid

    I love my Zune too.  I want to play music, not play games.  The Zune is just that, a music player.  With plenty of storage too.  I have 7,000+ songs on mine and it’s not even half full.  Can’t do that on an iPod.

  • http://twitter.com/hellovaras Jose Varas

    just like you never tat the name of your girlfriend or wife on your skin – ever, you should likewise never tat the name of your fave gdgt on any part of your body

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