[99semaj]

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=4157

For all you who still believe Microsoft is still consumed with the impossible task of beating the iPod with the Zune, here’s more proof that Zune’s future is all about software and services and not hardware.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=4157

Maybe MS has finally realized they can't make hardware to save themselves...

The article also goes on to quote MS as saying that Zune is "Zune is a music and video service from Microsoft. Period" which all but confirms they are focussing on selling content and not hardware. Competition for iTunes would be very, very good in my opinion. iTunes is probably the poorest software product that Apple makes, and a move like this would force Apple to spend more time bringing the user experience up to the level people expect from Apple.

 

[marko]

Cant make hardware to save themselves? You clearly don't know what you are talking about. The Zune is a great piece of hardware, solidly built with among the cleanest sound of any mp3 player. The problem lay in support, not hardware.

 

[jem]

I would have to agree. I've had the 120gb Zune for over a year, and I love it. The sound is great. Too bad we never got the Zune Marketplace in Canada.

 

[eljay]

+1. I've had no issues with my nine-month-old Zune 120Gb. It's a shame they're giving up on the hardware but the iPod line-up is a tough one to beat.