Microsoft is about to stop production of new players stamped the Zune brand, according to information from Bloomberg. If the brand survive in the form of software for mobile phones running Windows phone, that decision would formalize the failure of the Zune against the iPod, Apple's star player. Zune was indeed launched in 2006 to counter the hegemony of Apple in the field of portable audio and video.
"We will fight, but it will not be easy," said this year Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO. The company had provided the means of its ambitions by investing hundreds of millions of dollars on the brand. But the record five years later was negative. While the iPod still accounted for 77% of sales of digital music players last year, Zune was not part of the top 5 best sellers, according to a study by NPD Group Inc..
quoted by Bloomberg. Zune HD, released in 2009 in North America, would be the last player of the mark, even if the production of existing players should be maintained, according to information from an anonymous source linked to Microsoft. Zune still survive as a software for mobile phones to buy music and movies, and subscriptions for streaming music services.
Zune is already available on the Xbox 360 as rental movies on VOD. Interviewed by Bloomberg, Microsoft declined to confirm the information. 
"We will fight, but it will not be easy," said this year Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO. The company had provided the means of its ambitions by investing hundreds of millions of dollars on the brand. But the record five years later was negative. While the iPod still accounted for 77% of sales of digital music players last year, Zune was not part of the top 5 best sellers, according to a study by NPD Group Inc..
quoted by Bloomberg. Zune HD, released in 2009 in North America, would be the last player of the mark, even if the production of existing players should be maintained, according to information from an anonymous source linked to Microsoft. Zune still survive as a software for mobile phones to buy music and movies, and subscriptions for streaming music services.
Zune is already available on the Xbox 360 as rental movies on VOD. Interviewed by Bloomberg, Microsoft declined to confirm the information.
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