Ding Dong, The Zune Is Dead
I’m not even one of those people who uses only Apple products and is entirely invested in Steve Jobs’ plan to take over the world. Still, I’ve loved taunting my sister for owning a Zune since she got one, because let’s be honest, the iPod is just better. And today I get to bask in the ultimate taunt: Microsoft has announced that it plans to discontinue Zune devices. They plan to continue using Zune software in other technology, but those individual players can, as professionals say, suck it.
From Bloomberg:
“We have nothing to announce about another Zune device — but most recently have introduced Zune HD to Canada via the Zune Originals store and remain committed to supporting our devices in North America,” the company said in an e-mailed statement. “We are thrilled by the consumer excitement for Zune across many new platforms, including Windows Phone 7 and Xbox 360. Our long-term strategy focuses on the strength of the entire Zune ecosystem across Microsoft platforms.”
So if you like Zune, buy an Xbox or something else, but people like my sister need to give it up and get an iPod (unless these unfortunate souls plan to get some other random mp3 player, because iPods still cost half a month’s rent — touché, for now). Those pieces of handheld awesome will wear you down, eventually. Apple has nothing but time and additional generations.
