RSSMicrosoft: No Plans for Zune Outside US
By the Betanews Staff | Published June 4, 2007, 3:34 PM
Correcting a translation error that sparked a number of reports stating Microsoft planned to release its Zune portable music player in Europe, but not until 2008, the company now says it has no set timeframe. The confusion came in a response Steve Ballmer made to a German magazine.
In the proper translation, Ballmer said that "we decided not to enter new markets so far" and will not do so until "after we have reached some of the goals outlined. When this will be the case, I cannot tell you today." Zune product manager Cesar Menendez further clarified the situation, stating, "We will not expand the device family or our geographical footprint until we are positive that we can provide the best experience from the start."
@ZenWarrior
"So far, the product appears to be a complete failure."
By what measure? Because it didn't dethrone the ipod - a product that has gone thru 6 generations and been around for 5-6 years? You expect *any* vendor to release a product and take out something that established? Get real... Microsoft picked a market segment and released a v1 product into it hoping to make 10% or more market share IN THAT SEGMENT. Yes, modest goals, but given the less than 12 months it took them to get from concept to market and the fact they don't need to slay the Goliath on first release, then it's completely expected.
@Joey Deacon
"Basicallly all Microsoft hardware is cheap and nasty, thrown together junk..."
Another broad, baseless generalisation.. Well, I've owned Microsoft mice and keyboards for years and never had a problem with them. I've worn out other vendors keyboards and mice much faster than the MS ones I've owned. I guess you hate Toshiba stuff too? Cause that's who manufactured the Zune for Microsoft.
Score: 0
|The Zune itself is great the problem was a lot of the ideas were poorly executed.
- wireless limited
- no playsforsure
- horrible marketing
- not being able to make it behave like a hard drive
Ipod's 1st generation was nothing to make a big deal about either, if Microsoft does make a 2nd generation maybe some of these issues will be resolved.
Score: 0
|The truly "proper translation" from Micro$-speak into English: So far, the product appears to be a complete failure.
Score: 0
|Fantastic news, we don't want that crap here...
Basicallly all Microsoft hardware is cheap and nasty, thrown together junk...
Score: 0
|