Microsoft discontinues hard drives, "squircle" from Zune lineup
With the impending launch of Microsoft's iPod touch competitor, the Zune HD, the Redmond, Wash., company will discontinue its previous offerings, which included high-capacity hard drive players and the "squircle" input method.
According to Paul Thurott at the SuperSite for Windows, Microsoft will no longer offer its "classic" line of Zune MP3 players. That includes the flash-based Zunes with capacities of 4GB, 8GB and 16GB, as well as the hard drive-based Zune 80 and Zune 120. The products will only remain available as long as supplies last.
The new Zune HD launches on Sept. 15 with flash memory capacities of 16GB and 32 GB. The new device will have a 480x272 pixel multi-touch screen that displays with OLED technology. Its announced price points are $100 less than Apple's comparable iPod touch models, though that is likely to change next week.
Apple is expected to unveil its new line of iPods at an event scheduled for Sept. 9. Likely on tap are new models of the iPod touch and iPod nano with cameras.
With the discontinuation of the original Zune lineup, Microsoft will no longer offer any hard drive-based players. Many have believed Apple would soon go down a similar route, seeing the iPod classic and its spinning platters as on their last legs.
However, a recent rumor suggested Apple's iconic device may have at least one last new offering available, this time with a camera.
According to Paul Thurott at the SuperSite for Windows, Microsoft will no longer offer its "classic" line of Zune MP3 players. That includes the flash-based Zunes with capacities of 4GB, 8GB and 16GB, as well as the hard drive-based Zune 80 and Zune 120. The products will only remain available as long as supplies last.
The new Zune HD launches on Sept. 15 with flash memory capacities of 16GB and 32 GB. The new device will have a 480x272 pixel multi-touch screen that displays with OLED technology. Its announced price points are $100 less than Apple's comparable iPod touch models, though that is likely to change next week.
Apple is expected to unveil its new line of iPods at an event scheduled for Sept. 9. Likely on tap are new models of the iPod touch and iPod nano with cameras.
With the discontinuation of the original Zune lineup, Microsoft will no longer offer any hard drive-based players. Many have believed Apple would soon go down a similar route, seeing the iPod classic and its spinning platters as on their last legs.
However, a recent rumor suggested Apple's iconic device may have at least one last new offering available, this time with a camera.
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According to Paul Thurott at the SuperSite for Windows, Microsoft will no longer offer its "classic" line of Zune MP3 players. That includes the flash-based Zunes with capacities of 4GB, 8GB and 16GB, as well as the hard drive-based Zune 80 and Zune 120. The products will only remain available as long as supplies last.
or until the retailers get sick of having them take up space.
However, a recent rumor suggested Apple's iconic device may have at least one last new offering available, this time with a camera.
That last rumor is ridiculous- video recordings churning off that hard drive. Not only that , but who with a classic evens wants a camera? Its the storage capacity that drives people to the classic, not bells and whistles.
Why does the Next New Thing crowd try to push out the old and reliable just to have the appearance of being cutting edge. That is a 6th grade mentality.
As for this article - MS just admits defeat but is trying to keep its hand in the game long enough for their mobile phone s/w to catch up. Once the MS market place is established, they think, then I bet they expect their developers, developers, developers to out-compete Apples developers in the next generation of mobile devices in which playing music is one small point.
That is what Apple may be attempting with cameras on "all" iPods. I wouldn't mind a camera on my Touch (I still can't afford AT&T and the iPhone), and I don't need one on my 160 gig iPod Classic ...
... however if they did have a camera option on the classic, just think of having a camera that can hold EVERY photo you've ever taken! Interesting ... as long as it is at least 5 megapixels.
Mr. "Oh, The Press is so Anti-Microsoft" Thurrott? Mr. "I have no clue, but like to make believe?" Thurrott? Quoting him is pathetic, just like his "I use Macs, too" excuse. His whole site is just a big marketing-campaign for Microsoft - too bad they don't even pay him.
I wouldn't mind a camera on my Touch (I still can't afford AT&T and the iPhone),.
interesting comment, I'm seriously thinking about giving up my ATT 1st gen iPhone and getting a cheap 'dumb' phone. Using my iPhone as a Touch for wifi/email and waiting to make a decision on whether or not to get a Tablet, new Touch, or a 3GS. Just hate paying ATT a $100 a month!
Long live the Zune!
... however if they did have a camera option on the classic, just think of having a camera that can hold EVERY photo you've ever taken! Interesting ... as long as it is at least 5 megapixels.
But something like that would be less-than-optimal without a flash and zoom.
Both unlikely, I think.
So that would mean by 2015, the remaining supplies should be gone. Better hurry up Zune fans.
But something like that would be less-than-optimal without a flash and zoom.
Both unlikely, I think.
Agreed, the iPhone/iPod cameras are pretty much just 'snapshot' cameras with out flash and zoom! Although I do get pretty good photos when it's bright sunshine outdoors...but for indoors, forget about it!
Now MS will have only two branded items for sale in their new stores, one model of Zune and Windows 7. Oh, and all those mice and keyboards. And I suppose all those different versions of Windows can fill a couple more shelves.
Talk about burying the lead. The tease puts "squircle" out there, but the article never mentions it much less explains what the heck it is.
Now MS will have only two branded items for sale in their new stores, one model of Zune and Windows 7. Oh, and all those mice and keyboards. And I suppose all those different versions of Windows can fill a couple more shelves.
Are they not planning to sell XBOX 360 in their stores then?
Are they not planning to sell XBOX 360 in their stores then?
Hmmm, how to reply?
1) No, because XBox sells itself
or
2) That makes three items.
But can it squirt without the squircle? Sounds like cartoonish porn, doesn't it?
The Squircle is replaced with the Ejaculircle!
... however if they did have a camera option on the classic, just think of having a camera that can hold EVERY photo you've ever taken! Interesting ... as long as it is at least 5 megapixels.
Yeah, because one number tells you all you need to know about the quality and capabilities of the camera. The way things are now, I don't even consider the MP number to be anything but an intellectual curiousity except for high end cameras, where it can be better justified.
But something like that would be less-than-optimal without a flash and zoom.
Both unlikely, I think.
I thought autofocus was highly unlikely on such a small camera, but 3GS has it. That said, I doubt any iPod is going to have a better camera in it than the latest iPhone. I'm kind of surprised there isn't a flash though, even if it's a few white LED chips, so small and I'd think it should be a lot simpler and cheaper than autofocus.
Agreed, the iPhone/iPod cameras are pretty much just 'snapshot' cameras with out flash and zoom! Although I do get pretty good photos when it's bright sunshine outdoors...but for indoors, forget about it!
There are some people showing otherwise, but I doubt it was ever intended to be more than a snapshot camera. That's the point behind a camera in a phone anyway.
That last rumor is ridiculous- video recordings churning off that hard drive.
You do realize that hard drive iPods have been able to play video for years now, right?
Why does the Next New Thing crowd try to push out the old and reliable just to have the appearance of being cutting edge. That is a 6th grade mentality.
Amen!
(I still can't afford AT&T and the iPhone)
In Europe, the vast majority of mobile phone users, myself included, eschew contracts and use prepaid. Which is why the market for iPhones is self-limiting and why the initial sales figures were so abysmal.