Microsoft has announced their plans to port the software which powers the Zune, to many platforms and devices, including Windows Mobile.
It’s no secret that Zune and Windows Mobile share nearly-identical software underneath. Both are powered by Windows CE, and enabling Zune’s media player to run on Windows Mobile would be trivial. However, Microsoft groupthink impeded such progress… with the Zune/Xbox division of Microsoft hesitant to give up such code. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer explained this week, in multiple interviews, that Zune on Windows Mobile will now incorporate the full Zune Marketplace. This will allow customers to purchase songs and content, directly from their Windows Mobile phone.
Ballmer also noted that Zune would be ported to PC, and also hinted at a port to the Xbox 360. While Zune software exists on the PC today, it has been widely criticized for having an impressive storefront, but poor media playback. The new, unified Zune offering on PC plans to greatly enhance playback functionality.
PhoneNews.com editorialized back in early 2007 that Windows Mobile needed to incorporate Zune functionality, in order to compete against the (then just-announced) iPhone.
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[...] the need for Zune platform integration on Windows Mobile in order to compete with iPhone in past editorial columns. Trackback | Permalink [...]
Good! Now do the same thing and put the Windows Mobile operating system on the Zune HD. Then, iPod Touch will be in trouble.