Why did Microsoft discontinue the Zune HD?

Anonymous
2011-10-09T23:55:15+00:00

I have been a loyal Zune/XBOX customer for years and now looking to replace my 8gb Zune that I've had for 4 or 5 years and cannot find a Zune HD anywhere. Since it's been discontinued Amazon has jacked up the price of a new one. I honestly think that Zune is far superior to Ipod in the MP3 department. Now I'm gonna be forced to buy an Ipod Touch.  I kinda feel betrayed by Microsoft.

Windows for home | Other | Music, photos, and video

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2011-10-11T04:54:51+00:00

Hi Zombie79,

Thank you for your question and your concern. I believe the answer can be summed up with in the first sentence of the press release, "...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". We appreciate and share your feelings regarding the Zune device, however we have decided to move forward with a new strategy and we hope that we will be able to get you back on board soon.

Cheers!

robert

Was this answer helpful?

1 person found this answer helpful.
0 comments

74 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2013-01-04T22:07:06+00:00

    i agree microsoft has been letting me down lately.  i really enjoy my zune, i would much rather like to buy zune players than a windows phone because the price for a windows phone is pretty much rediuclous.  apple seems to have their act together i just might have to make the switch over to them. 

    FAIL

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2012-12-10T08:06:05+00:00

    Well, I'm done here. Zune is an awesome service, and I don't trust non-Android smart phones to have the same level of usefulness, also they aren't on my carrier.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2012-05-19T15:19:24+00:00

    >>I honestly think that Zune is far superior to Ipod in the MP3 department. Now I'm gonna be forced to buy an Ipod Touch.  I kinda feel betrayed by Microsoft. <<

    Microsoft are the "almost" company. The Zune player was never released outside the USA and, despite sales of standalone MP3 players falling, there is a market for them.

    MS managed to create the "plays for sure" brand, signed up manufacturers, hit customers with heavy DRM restrictions then dumped it for Zune. Zune software that wouldn't work with "plays for sure". Now they dumped the Zune player, which people paid for, in favour of Windowsphone. Then the executives wonder why people haven't got faith in the long term strategy of Microsoft music products. There is a rumour in the works that an Xbox streaming service is coming - will this dump Zune on the Xbox? MS have a track record of leaving customers with products that just stop being supported.

    Will Zune be here in 12 months? Why isn't there a Zune app for Apple and Android? Why is Mac OS X saddled with a WindowsPhone connector and not Zune for Mac? Many PC owners have an Android or iPhone on a 2 year contract. The market is begging for a Zune app so they can listen to music cross-platform. Microsoft unfortunately lacks imagination and I am sad about that....

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2012-05-18T19:06:28+00:00

    Robert,

    While I appreciate your answer, it just sounds like towing the company line. I was hoping for big things regarding the Zune player by Microsoft.

    Why not marry some of the technology and design of the WP7 to a new Zune device since the WP7 took their look and feel from the Zune.

    I don't think this will detract from your core mission of developing a phone, but enhance it. Some key improvements would be a larger screen/display, porting some apps to a Zune device, more capacitive touch features, dual gaming capabilities, more storage (i.e. the 128 Gb) and longer battery life. Then market those things until people are sick of seeing them. As someone mentioned, MS is a software company and not a hardware company, so just partner with a hardware company as they did with a phone manufacturer. I'm sure there is one available to develop such a device.

    Apple hasn't given up on the iPod Touch and I don't think that MS should give up on the Zune.

    The marketing for the WP7 is lackluster compared to that of Android devices and iPhones. If it weren't for Nokia, there would be no marketing presence at all.

    Believe it or not, some people still desire just an Mp3 player and that could also be a target market for the Zune device. Those not willing to give up their precious iPhones or Droid devices, but want a separate music listening apparatus without having to charge it every so often.

    That's just my opinion, but consumer opinions matter.

    Best

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments