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Report: Zune coming to Europe in 2009

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

March 14, 2008, 6:26 PM

Microsoft officials told a French financial newspaper this week that a third generation player is due next year, along with the launch of the player in the European market.

Since its debut in late 2006, Microsoft's response to the iPod has been a US-only product. While there have been repeated rumors that launches in other markets were in the works, so far there has been no official confirmation until now.

That changed with the disclosure by Microsoft France executive François Ruault in the French paper Les Echos that the company does indeed plan to release the player in the region in 2009. This will likely coincide with the release of the third-generation Zune.

Ruault's comments seem to suggest that the company also plans to move the reach of the Zune Marketplace beyond the desktop and music player and onto mobile devices.

Windows Mobile 7 will likely allow users to access their music libraries, possibly signaling the increasing likelihood of a Zune phone to complete with the iPhone. While it appears that such a device wouldn't initially be dedicated to only music, this could be a step toward the eventual release of such a device.

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By Daddy_Spank

posted Mar 17, 2008 - 6:31 PM

I've owned both iPods and now a 80GB Zune - and I have to say the Zune is far superior in pretty much all areas except the Zune software, which still lags behind iTunes a bit, but I suspect sometime this year that is also gonna surpass iTunes.
Not to mention all the conversations you get with girls who asks "what is that?" Get used to it people, iPod is just old and uninteresting.

Score: 0

By slimy

edited Mar 17, 2008 - 10:49 AM

dupe

Score: 0

By slimy

posted Mar 17, 2008 - 10:48 AM

Actually, Microsoft has already confirmed that the Zune will come to Canada in Spring 2008. Furthermore, Ballmer already announced that the Zune was coming to Europe in 2009.

Score: 0

By foxfyre

edited Mar 16, 2008 - 11:16 AM

Why does every announcement about a product simply result in the fanboys lining up to justify it or to attack it?

I really don't care what toy you feel some emotional attactment to and define yourself by.

There is plenty of opportunity to discuss market fundamentals and strategies - and their pros and cons without listening to wackos justify their emotional or political preferences.

And market percentages are what they are. A fact. And something with which to asknowledge. It has little NECESSARY connection to which is best. So maybe someone might want to start discussing the implications of the announcements upon the realities of the market.

On the other hand, if something is so great but holds a small market share and you can't figure out why, there IS something wrong. You just haven't figured it out.

No one cares which toy you listen to your low-fi hiphop on when you are not whining about the fact that music is not free.

There is alittle more to the market and to market strategy. How about someone trying to figure out what it is.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Mar 17, 2008 - 10:02 AM

Why does every announcement about a product simply result in the fanboys lining up to justify it or to attack it?

You must be new here...

I really don't care what toy you feel some emotional attactment to and define yourself by.

...and we don't care about your not caring...but here you are.

There is plenty of opportunity to discuss market fundamentals and strategies - and their pros and cons without listening to wackos justify their emotional or political preferences.

...and yet here you are discussing wackos and their emotional preferences. Sometimes I think you b**** about the comments here just to pump up your own massively overblown ego...

So maybe someone might want to start discussing the implications of the announcements upon the realities of the market.

Go for it. We wish you the best.

No one cares which toy you listen to your low-fi hiphop on when you are not whining about the fact that music is not free.

Again, you new here?

How about someone trying to figure out what it is.

Again...go for it.

For all your talk about what we "should" be discussing, you sure don't seem the least bit interested in following that line of discussion yourself.

Lead by example, or stfu.

Calling us all fanboys isn't going to illicit *anything* useful.

Score: 0

By ToeKneeC

edited Mar 15, 2008 - 11:33 AM

This is good news. Just because iPod rules this arena doesn’t mean the Zune sucks. I use to love my iPod but Zune is simply better for music. The navigation of the music is easier, faster and easier on the eyes – and that is why I have one. The Zune is more durable, I have dropped it a few times and it’s still perfect (the ipod simply just scratches to easy and looks like crap) The software I still have to give the edge to iTunes. Zune software is up to version 2 and it is going in the right direction, version 3 should be equal or surpass iTunes. But more importantly the Zune is about to unleash games that the iPod will not be able to do, as the iPod spin dial just won’t be a benefit. Search for Zune Games or XNA. So with Europe getting the Zune, Games coming out, easier to play music – support for Media Center…wow

Score: 0

By crashoverride

posted Mar 16, 2008 - 10:38 PM

I'm betting the European Commission is foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog over this announcement.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Mar 17, 2008 - 9:56 AM

Zune does not come bundled with windows.

Zune does not have more than 39.7% of the market.

Zune has nothing to worry about regarding the ECs rabid "monopoly" watch.

Score: 0

By crashoverride

posted Mar 17, 2008 - 6:43 PM

YET

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Mar 18, 2008 - 8:48 AM

That pretty much applies to anything and everything, but thanks for the valuable input....

Score: 0

By FutureDomain

posted Mar 15, 2008 - 12:05 AM

*yawn*
Who cares?
iPods and Sansas are eating Zune's lunch. The problem with the Zune is that it is like last year's iPod. If you want a player like a Zune, you'll probably just get an iPod classic or an iPod touch if features mean more than storage to you.

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted Mar 16, 2008 - 12:18 AM

obviously you do care, if you wasted your time posting that you don't.

The Zune 2 has a much better gui then the ipod, since the ipod touch is a completely different device you need to compare the ipod classic or the new generation, which still is missing features when compared to the zune.

The ipod touch only has a max 32 gb of space. Sure you can surf the web but some people just want a device to listen to music.

Sansa is cutting into the Zune, where? If it was doing so terrible they wouldn't be planning another version.

Score: 0

By God Dammit

posted Mar 15, 2008 - 1:58 AM

The iPod doesn't have anything that's better than the Zune.

Score: 0

By Floodland

posted Mar 17, 2008 - 1:02 PM

The ipod has a better UI and better software: I do not like iTunes but you can find dozens of alternatives if you want; but even iTunes is much better that Microsoft offer: Zune software *really* sucks.
Following your line Mac OS offer little more than Windows for that matter, but its interface and easy to use, intuitive and is what MS still could not copy. Microsoft do not think in the end user the way they should...

Score: 0

By terminalx

edited Mar 17, 2008 - 3:53 PM

I take it English is not your first language because that was extremely painful to read.

Have you even used the Zune?
I've used both, the gui on an ipod is simple but requires more steps.

Zune, you select music, then push over to how you would like to view. Ipod requires more clicking and scrolling to get to what you want.

I agree the Zune software is not perfect but Itunes (after 7 versions no less) still is horrible. The software makes it a chore in selecting what songs you would like to add to your ipod, the autosync only ever seems to pull songs you purchased no matter how many times you change it.

We are talking about music players not operating systems and simply because you brought up OSX, it obvious you are another anti MS troll.

Score: 0

By Frostek

posted Mar 15, 2008 - 6:48 PM

Because the iPod is so plentiful, there are literally hundreds of third party devices with iPod connectors built-in.

The same cannot be said for Zune, etc.

Score: 0

By davidlerner

posted Mar 14, 2008 - 11:19 PM

I have a zune 80 I must say that it is going to be the biggest problem for apple in the near future. zune sales have grown over 200 percente.

www.talkprice.net

Score: 0

By djdanska

posted Mar 15, 2008 - 4:24 PM

I know i love my 80 gig zune. I almost got an ipod but i am glad i didn't.

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

posted Mar 15, 2008 - 7:35 AM

What, from 1 to 3?

Still never seen a M$ Zune outside of a store. How long have they been out now?

Score: 0

By SlapShot

posted Mar 15, 2008 - 10:56 AM

you have to leave your basement and go outside to find one, troll

Score: 0

By preinterpost

posted Mar 17, 2008 - 1:05 PM

Sorry, just a slight correction. The correct terminology is "your mum's basement" ;-)

Score: 0

By Daddy_Spank

posted Mar 17, 2008 - 6:33 PM

Haha... Besides, who cares how many Zunes you have seen? Does it matter?

Score: 0

By SlapShot

posted Mar 17, 2008 - 6:18 PM

whoops my bad :)

Score: 0

By Addman

posted Mar 16, 2008 - 12:53 PM

lol.....im sorry lol that justed...

Score: 0

By dwaterman

posted Mar 15, 2008 - 9:47 AM

I have, they are awesome, you should check one out...

Score: 0

By polymacon

edited Mar 15, 2008 - 10:00 PM

I was a Zune early adapter (12/06) and i'm loving it. my zune 30 still works perfect I would recommend everyone go get one. ^^;

Score: 0

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