New Zune hardware...

[Third]

....is never coming out.

Details are still emerging on this one, but it looks like Microsoft has finally killed off the Zune -- or the hardware side of things, anyway. According to Bloomberg, a "person familiar with the decision" has confirmed that Microsoft won't be producing any new Zune media players, and that the company will instead focus solely on the Zune software that already has a foothold on the Xbox 360 and Windows Phone devices (it's not clear if the name will stick around). Microsoft will apparently continue to sell its existing Zunes as long as it has stock of them. More as we get it.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/14/microsoft-reportedly-kills-off-zune-hardware-will-focus-on-soft/



Poor guy

Pretty sad news. I've heard Zune hardware is the only good MS hardware.

[Himu]

looks like i bought an ipod touch/iphone just in time.

crap customer service, not enough features, but great product.

[Himu]

Mac support, for one.

Lack of apps, two.

[Mr. Gundam]

Maybe I can snag a sub-$100 Zune now.

[Smooth Groove]

I don't give a shit about apps.  I already have a smartphone for that.  Zunes kicked iPods' butts in sound quality, which is what matters most.   Zune HDs also has better video quality but that's also irrelevant since it's distinguished mentally-challenged to watch video on a tiny PMP.

Zune HD's are fucking awesome.

What Microsoft should do now is license the software to Sansa and the like so their players stop being shitty turds.

Clips+ are great and shit all over shitty overpriced Nanos.  

[Smooth Groove]

Maybe I can snag a sub-$100 Zune now.

Definitely worth it even at $150.  Aside from my Sony X-series, Zunes are easily the best portable media players I've ever heard. 

I'm gonna try to snag a 64GB before they're sold out. 

[Himu]

It's a matter of support for me. I couldn't do shit with my zune that i can do with my ipod. everything on the market gravitates towards ipod/iphone support. they don't give a rat's ass about zune or zen. if zune had mac support I'd probably still have one.

[Mr. Gundam]

Maybe I can snag a sub-$100 Zune now.

Definitely worth it even at $150.  Aside from my Sony X-series, Zunes are easily the best portable media players I've ever heard. 

I'm gonna try to snag a 64GB before they're sold out. 

Sub-$100 or bust. I don't need one that bad.

[Smooth Groove]

I'm never buying another shitty iPOD again because they sound like shit.  Aside from high sound quality, all I need from a media player, is an efficient UI/file system and support for the most popular audio formats.  In that regard, the iPod, Zunes and even the Sony X have failed me because they don't support FLAC.  

[Himu]

I haven't had a problem with ipod sound.

[Smooth Groove]

I haven't had a problem with ipod sound.

Probably because you're using cheapass packed-in earphones.

I'm never buying another shitty iPOD again because they sound like shit.  Aside from high sound quality, all I need from a media player, is an efficient UI/file system and support for the most popular audio formats.  In that regard, the iPod, Zunes and even the Sony X have failed me because they don't support FLAC. 

Wait, the HD doesn't do Flac? The fucking Fuze does flac.

That's sad.

So does the Clip and most Korean made PMPs.  All the major American and Japanese manufacturers are scared of FLAC for some reason.   

[Himu]

I actually hate apple earphones.

I'm using Sony earbuds I've had for a year.

I always go with Sony, because they always last me a long time. I used to get apple earbuds because they're cheap but...you get what you pay for, and they'd often break just days after purchase.

[Mr. Gundam]

I actually hate apple earphones.

I do too, they really hurt my ears.

[Smooth Groove]

The Shure SE215 are probably the best bang for the buck earphones you can get.  You can find them for around $99.

[Himu]

The Shure SE215 are probably the best bang for the buck earphones you can get.  You can find them for around $99.

I prefer headphones over earbuds.

[Smooth Groove]

Yeah, I wanna get a Zune HD. Mine (had it for 4 years now) is starting to crap out, but I love it and I adore the Zune player. It'd be nice to use my Iphone as an mp3 player, but I have like 4GB of space for music on it. I have 4GB of 90s Dance music alone in my collection.

Does your old Zune use flash or a hard drive?  If the latter, you can find bigger harddrives for cheap and they're fairly easy to swap.  

The Shure SE215 are probably the best bang for the buck earphones you can get.  You can find them for around $99.

I prefer headphones over earbuds.

Most good headphones don't work well with portable players unless you have a separate amplifier. 

[Raban]

I was actually hoping to hear something about the next Zune. Do current Zune HDs even support all the games and apps on the Zune Marketplace?

[MCD]

Just buy a WP7.

[tiesto]

Yeah, I wanna get a Zune HD. Mine (had it for 4 years now) is starting to crap out, but I love it and I adore the Zune player. It'd be nice to use my Iphone as an mp3 player, but I have like 4GB of space for music on it. I have 4GB of 90s Dance music alone in my collection.

Only 4GB of 90's Dance music? Amateur

I absolutely love my Zune HD (16 gig). Shame that MS is pulling the plug on them, it's a great product that unfortunately wasn't advertised. I was expecting MS to rebrand and tie them in with WP7 more or something.

[Phoenix Dark]

ipod touch