Why did Microsoft discontinue the Zune HD?

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.

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

Sounds like some bullcrap to me. What if people dont want a iphone rip-off.I want the simplicity and freedom of the Zune . Screw Apple's $$$ you must by exclusively Microsoft or Apple...Apple wants $$$ money for every little app and music+videos...Sounds like a monopoly 2 me...

Is this why there is no longer a cust service 800 # to call for help? I hate not being able to talk to a live person & get referred to the forums for answers. The facebook page sucks too - almost like no one is even monitoring comments. 

Where can I get cust service now???

Windows Phone & Zune Support