Why did Microsoft discontinue the Zune HD?

My husband bought me a Zune 2 years ago.  I LOVE IT! However in the last few months I have been having trouble with it.  then Zune decided to change it's subscription options.  I currently have the unlimited downloads for $16 a month with 10 credits to download songs to keep 'forever'.  I love/loved the product so much I paid more for my husband to have one (because they are discontinued and amazon jacked up the price on them).  Now it doesn't allow us to link his Zune to my account, I can't change my billing information from one card to another and I'm still having problems with my Zune.  All this wouldn't be so bad if Microsoft had an actual live person to speak with.  Reading support assistance is great until it doesn't help the problem.  Anybody want to give me some feedback on all my many problems?  I too feel like I am forced to go with an iPod.  I'm not a Windows lover (because I hated my Windows phone) but LOVE LOVE LOVE my Zune....I just want it to work :(...

"There are several issues I notice that will prevent any products other than Apple products from being successful: 1) there is no standardization of USB-type connectors — for example, look at the selection of Android tablets from Samsung, ASUS, and others.  Do you see these companies agreeing on a standardized USB-type connector?  It would be very difficult for Panasonic, Sony, iHome, Ford, GM, Nissan, etc., to figure out what devices they will agree on to support broadening the consumer experience  for home use and vehicles.  It would be a nightmare! —  and, 2) manufactures and companies of home theater products will not invest into providing consumers additional expanded experiences if the numbers for WP 7/8 devices market share aren’t  very promising — and I don’t blame them. "

I would agree that the automobile market is a mess, but not necessarily due to incompatibilities with USB connectors as third party vendors soon fill that void with adapters. My thought was more drastic, in that starting with a DIN style base product containing amplifier and docking station, a small tablet could be plugged in (landscape mode) offering a superior choice of features. I realize that this is a bold move, but it creates a new category. The biggest challenge would perhaps be getting all  of the main auto makers on board who don't use DIN or double-DIN slots for Radio/CD/GPS/Info. However, such a product would be far better than what is out there now.

The zuneHD is a fabulous product that needed more promotion. The sound is fantastic as is the video screen. I do not use the phone for music. Storage, battery life etc. I bought two more HD[s and then noticed the relatively cheap price was gone and now they are bringing premium $'s. Once these die I am off Zune pass and on to something else for music (Not a Phone!!!)

"Going forward with a windows phone is not in my humble opinion the best strategy. The weakness here is that the likelihood of MS breaking into the phone market is not very high. If one considers the main opportunities for an MP3 player it is:

1. Portable listening while jogging/walking/exercising with headphones
2. Car Audio use
3. Hooked into an amplifier/docking unit.

While there may be an opportunity to use an MP3 player with a phone, I don't see this as being a significant contribution for those who use their phone for frequent communication. However, I would have thought that there could be a market for a whole new generation of small tablets for use with the following features:

MP3 player

MPEG player

Photo Viewer

HD Radio

GPS

Other options could be:

Wireless communications such as internet, G4, etc.

PDF/Book Reading

Personal organizer

One of the key uses of such a device is that it could replace the traditional car radio/CD/Tape unit with a docking interface to insert this small tablet (video disabled for vehicular use). I'd be using such a device most of the time either when driving, working out, tinkering in the garage, background music in the home and much more. Maybe there is a segment of the market that likes to use their phone for playing music, watching video, etc, but I don't see much of it--could be a generational thing.

Right now I'm using my Zune HD in a docking station for listening to podcasts/HD radio at home, a Sansa player for music, and a Nuvi GPS/MP3 player plugged into a HD radio in my car. I don't use a cell phone much, but I'd like to start using a book reader, personal organizer & portable notepad.

The bottom line here is that I think there is a loss of focus on multi-use devices. Creating a new category of use (such as automobiles) will certainly offer more opportunity than trying to jump on an existing bandwagon. However, without the right software specs even such a device may not go anywhere."

4Kenneth,

Overall, what you are talking about is aftermarket product integration.  I have iterated this need for consumer products aftermarket integration for the Zune HD if it were to remain successful against Apple’s iTouch or iPod.

As it appears right now, I don’t see Windows Phone 7/8 devices appealing to manufactures in masses of consumer electronic products including home theater integration and car audio integration for WP 7/8 devices or for Android-based devices.  I was hoping that the Zune HD would have changed that a bit, but our gamble on buying a Zune HD and wishing for manufactures to jump on the bandwagon and provide a more richer experience in all facets of our private lives — unfortunately that didn’t happened.

The Zune HD player is an incredible device and, in my opinion, a superior portable music player.  But if manufactures of aftermarket products as I have described won’t support or back a product that would include, as you’ve mentioned,  docking stations, home theater, and car/audio products, it won’t succeed.

There are several issues I notice that will prevent any products other than Apple products from being successful: 1) there is no standardization of USB-type connectors — for example, look at the selection of Android tablets from Samsung, ASUS, and others.  Do you see these companies agreeing on a standardized USB-type connector?  It would be very difficult for Panasonic, Sony, iHome, Ford, GM, Nissan, etc., to figure out what devices they will agree on to support broadening the consumer experience  for home use and vehicles.  It would be a nightmare! —  and, 2) manufactures and companies of home theater products will not invest into providing consumers additional expanded experiences if the numbers for WP 7/8 devices market share aren’t  very promising — and I don’t blame them. 

So the reality is that currently, the only product other the Apple that may be successful is Android-based devices, but, all Android-based devices made by every company must come to an agreement to standardize what USB-type connector will be used and at least two form factors for their tablets and phones (for tablets: 10” or 8’ and for phones: 4” or 4.5” for example).  If they agree with my recommendations, then you’ll see a better saturation of consumer products for their home, car, and audio experiences.