Microsoft has really been on a roll with Windows Phone 7, but I would really like to see a Windows Phone 7 platform, without the phone!
Microsoft has convinced Nokia to adopt Windows Phone 7 and it seems like more and more app developers are moving over to the platform. I really think that Microsoft could start to use Windows Phone 7 in the same way as Apple are using iOS on all of their devices.
When can I see a Windows Phone 7 device without a phone?
The new iPod Touch has been a great product for Apple and has really pushed them forward in the world of music players. Since Microsoft recently announced they would be no longer making Zune music players, why not create a product dedicated to the Windows Phone 7 platform, but specifically for a music player and app tool?
There have been a lot of reports this morning about Microsoft having no plans to update the Zune player indefinitely. Microsoft never seemed to be able to make any headway with the Zune, despite having great software.
Im sure that the software from the Zune will be moved onto other platforms, but the hardware is no longer.Microsoft have been trying to achieve the same hardware success as Apple, but are still yet to release a product that can penitrate the market (except for the Xbox 360).
Microsoft told Winrumors the following:
“We have nothing to announce about another Zune device – but most recently have introduced Zune HD to Canada via Zune Originals store and remain committed to supporting our devices in North America. We are thrilled by the consumer excitement for Zune across many new platforms, including Windows Phone 7 and Xbox 360. Our long-term strategy focuses on the strength of the entire Zune ecosystem across Microsoft platforms.”
Microsoft, once the dominant giant in the technology industry, has more recently been forced to share the stage with a number of competitors. Apple and Google being major players on the field now, not just in technology and research but in the consumer market with devices like set top boxes, hand helds, and entertainment apps. Microsoft is quickly losing ground in this arena, and they are determined to change the course.
Recently it was announced that J. Allard, a major influence in the shaping of the X-Box, would be leaving the company on a rumored disagreement with Steven Ballmer over the cancellation of the Courier Tablet project. While questions remain, what is for certain is that Microsoft may be making some major changes in their executive management in the Entertainment and Devices division. This change would mean more than just replacing, but rather a full scale revamp to find their footing in a race that Microsoft has been steadily losing ground in.
The division is more than just the X-Box, but also includes the Zune and their mobile operation systems. This comes as a relief for me because I’ve personally felt that Microsoft has always missed the mark on their efforts for mobile consumer devices. Whether it’s phones or the Zune, Microsoft seems so divided, with so many fragmented operation systems that lack consistency or the attention to detail that their competitors show. It will be interesting to see where Microsoft ends up after these changes.
As we’ve announced a while ago, Microsoft and Zune are getting ready to take an important step: the release of Zune HD. Now, there are some more news about it, this Zune HD will include Nvidia Integra system-on-chip.
This chip was build, of course, specially for smartphones, PDAs and MIDs. There are several type of processors within this chip: Tegra APX series (2500 and 2600) specially designed for smartphones; Tegra 600 and 650 designed for smartbook and MIDs.
Naming some of the features that the new Zune will include:
- Will use flash memory instead of an internal hard drive. Remember that flash memory it’s quite faster than normal hard drives.
- OLED multi-touch screen.
- Wi-Fi enabled. No confirmation yet about if will include a support on 802.11n.
- HD radio. High quality sound available.
- Output available 1280×720 (720p). Will not support 1080p.
- Internet browser optimized for multi-touch functionality.
We are still waiting on official release date and pricing.
