Why did Microsoft discontinue the Zune HD?

I totally agree. I got mine before the price jack too and I am relieved I did. However, I recommended the zune to a friend of mine a few months ago and he checked and the price was out of control. Another friend of mine would like a new one as well but the price is just too high for a new one. That is disappointing to someone who has tried to refuse to convert to apple. I too think the zune is superior to the iPod and I can't help but wonder why Microsoft did not push this product hard.

 

Its getting hard to be a microsoft fan, I have to admit. Lack of innovation, constant virus problems that have remain relatively unresolved, and so forth. I guess they figured they were fighting a battle on too many fronts between with battling Apple and Sony. ...but then again isn't this a multi-billion dollar company too?

Re:  zune  

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/technologybrierdudleysblog/2018206590_ex-microsoft_president_on_xbox.html

Re: constant virus problems

If you are updating your windows OS as security updates arrive, and if you have enabled your windows firewall (or a 3rd party firewall) and are using effective antivirus (including the highly rated MS Security essentials -which is free-) then if you still have 'constant virus problems' the issue is in the cockpit.  Essentially, most if not all the top rated antivirus products are doing just about all that they can be expected to do.  The current malware problem is the user... who needs to learn to avoid risky sites and risky online behavior... sad but true.

I totally agree. I got mine before the price jack too and I am relieved I did. However, I recommended the zune to a friend of mine a few months ago and he checked and the price was out of control. Another friend of mine would like a new one as well but the price is just too high for a new one. That is disappointing to someone who has tried to refuse to convert to apple. I too think the zune is superior to the iPod and I can't help but wonder why Microsoft did not push this product hard.

Its getting hard to be a microsoft fan, I have to admit. Lack of innovation, constant virus problems that have remain relatively unresolved, and so forth. I guess they figured they were fighting a battle on too many fronts between with battling Apple and Sony. ...but then again isn't this a multi-billion dollar company too?

I WAS a satisfied Microsoft customer, until my Zune 32GB HD stopped working, and they don't offer service for it online.  As costly as the devices are WE deserve BETTER SUPPORT.  These products are not cheap!! I was actually willing to pay for the repair, but it's not offered for the 32GB HD player.  Microsoft wants you to DOWNGRADE then pay them 119.99 for a Zune 16GB HD.  Enough is ENOUGH!! Come on man, we are just everyday consumers keeping the companys in business. They need us before we need to spend more of our hard earned money on products that companies produce, and once something goes wrong we are left holding products that are not worth the ink used to print  the word MICROSOFT. Oh yeah, they knew this product was being discontinued, but they did'nt have the guts to tell me when i asked the microsoft tech.  I had to find out on the internet!

For me, it's all about the Zune Pass: that is my only must-have because I love ALL kinds of music and need LOTS of it. And for that, I need Zunes. There's no way I would spend the kind of money that would be required to build a music Collection like I have been able to build with my Zune Pass's downloading/play-anywhere-on-multiple-devices feature. I'm disappointed in the WPhone because I can't do simple things like sync with Outlook without going through a Hotmail "connector", and I could do without that, but I NEED a Zune music player. 

Last month I lost out on an ebbay bid for a Zune HD64; I knew I was desperate because I usually avoid that route. That USED Z went for $403 and I decided right there to spring for a new one from an Amazon seller (handled by Amazon, of course). I choked on it as I pressed the buttons, but at least now l've been LUVing downloading again since I had been reaching the limit of the HD32 for about a month. I have a WPhone too, but I only have 36,9GB in a Samsunf Focus, which is not much better. Now, my only challenge is figuring out how I am going to divide the labor among the two players.

I will agree with those that argue a phone is no substitute. First, extensive use of streaming and even just playing will drain your battery, and second, it is not healthy to be holding a phone listening for extended periods. It is a hepful supplement when I'm on a car trip because I can plug in a charger along with the aux cable, with the advantages that a) I can check the song playing quickly with the new lock screen feature, and b) that the phone will suspend playing when a call comes in. I usually avoid taking a call on the road, but I still don't miss that calls come in due to the music.

The best idea is for another device maker to fill in the gap, but it may be hard for someone to match the beauty and all-around quality of Microsoft's HDs. They may not be a hardware company, but they sure do it right when they try. ;) Best listening to all.