Okay, so he doesn't have a
thinner Xbox 360 than the rest of us -- at least, not one that's been captured on camera -- but Paul Thurrott still knows his way around Redmond, so when he utters the phrase "Zune Mobile," the cellphone-using world probably ought to sit up and listen. Rumors of
Microsoft's so-called Project Pink have failed to quiet down, but the latest intel seems to suggest that we're looking
not at a Microsoft-branded device but an entire software and service platform -- something Danger's pretty good at managing, and something Microsoft had said it liked when it closed the acquisition earlier this year. How does that tie into Zune Mobile, though? It seems that Pink might include Zune support as part of its offering, which could translate into a Zune Mobile software package for Windows Mobile (prior to the mythical version 7, says Thurrott) that would bring far more robust media support than any Microsoft-powered phone before it, and maybe -- just maybe -- a wireless download store. Ballmer's
already said Zune support would filter down to Windows Mobile eventually, and for what it's worth, those
alleged Windows Mobile 6.5 shots sure look Zune-ish, which would make true Zune support fit right in -- and Danger's in the
PMX group alongside the Zune peeps, so that adds some credence to the potential Pink tie-in. Is it enough to resurrect WinMo from the brink of obsolescence in the consumer space? Likely not, but it's a heck of a start, and might just quiet down those endless Zunephone rumors for a wee bit.
Read - Paul Thurrott mentions Zune Mobile
Read - Project Pink includes Zune support?
posted December 14th 2008 12:40PM
No. It can't be true.
Not even M$ could pretend to market such an ugly, cheap looking and unpractical thing in the age on the N97, Nuviphone and the Omnia.
Please concentrate in bringing out win mobile 7 and leave phone making to folks who can actually do it.
You do realise that's just an original zune with a picture of Windows Mobile 5 on it's screen?
If the team responsible for the ZUNE is playing a role, you can plan on Windows Mobile being MUCH better in whatever version they release next.
Having used ZUNE's, iPOD's, iPhone, MP3 Players, Windows Mobile devices starting with the very first (MPx200)... I can only see good coming from this. It's the reason I'm not upgrading right now.
I hope the rumors are true.
Come on engadget, you could have at least used a current-gen Squircle Zune for the picture. sheesh
but that would've been far less droll...
I still can't see Microsoft alienating their developer community by putting out a branded phone, but if they do let us hope it is worth the wait, Windows Mobile is almost as archaic as Palm OS no matter how pretty HTC and others try to make it.