2006-08-08
Microsoft confirms Zune portable entertainment devices
By James Orry - 24/07/2006 - 5:01pm GMT
After months of speculation, Microsoft has confirmed the development of a range of portable entertainment devices under the Zune brand.
The confirmation comes with a teaser websiteintroducing Microsoft's new Zune brand, but very little information has been revealed. Rumours of an iPod killer or a rival to the PSP and Nintendo DS have been regular fodder on the popular video game forums, and it seems that the rumours managed to get something right.
Microsoft's general manager for marketing, Chris Stephenson, issued an official statement regarding the rumoured portable device.
"Today we confirmed a new music and entertainment project called Zune. Under the Zune brand, we will deliver a family of hardware and software products, the first of which will be available this year," said Stephenson. "We see a great opportunity to bring together technology and community to allow consumers to explore and discover music together."
The first device will store music on a hard drive and will feature wireless functionality - details on which are still to be announced. Microsoft hasn't revealed any plans for a mobile gaming device, but Stephenson has told Billboard magazine that other Zune devices, specifically a video player, are in development. It does seem likely that a mobile gaming device or at least a multimedia device capable of playing games is on the way, especially given the push Microsoft gave its Live Anywhere service at E3.
Further details on the first device from the Zune stable are expected to be announced shortly.
After months of speculation, Microsoft has confirmed the development of a range of portable entertainment devices under the Zune brand.
The confirmation comes with a teaser websiteintroducing Microsoft's new Zune brand, but very little information has been revealed. Rumours of an iPod killer or a rival to the PSP and Nintendo DS have been regular fodder on the popular video game forums, and it seems that the rumours managed to get something right.
Microsoft's general manager for marketing, Chris Stephenson, issued an official statement regarding the rumoured portable device.
"Today we confirmed a new music and entertainment project called Zune. Under the Zune brand, we will deliver a family of hardware and software products, the first of which will be available this year," said Stephenson. "We see a great opportunity to bring together technology and community to allow consumers to explore and discover music together."
The first device will store music on a hard drive and will feature wireless functionality - details on which are still to be announced. Microsoft hasn't revealed any plans for a mobile gaming device, but Stephenson has told Billboard magazine that other Zune devices, specifically a video player, are in development. It does seem likely that a mobile gaming device or at least a multimedia device capable of playing games is on the way, especially given the push Microsoft gave its Live Anywhere service at E3.
Further details on the first device from the Zune stable are expected to be announced shortly.
