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Microsoft exec says Zune software coming to the Mac
Apple Insider ^ | 10/13/2010 | Slash Lane

Posted on 10/13/2010 7:40:10 AM PDT by WebFocus

In an effort not to discourage Mac users from adopting one of its new Windows Phone 7 handsets, Microsoft will reportedly deploy later this a year the first version of its Zune media software targeted at Apple users.

The revelation was briefly made public in a Twitter post from Microsoft UK’s head of Windows Phone marketing, Oded Ran, before it was quickly deleted, presumably because the executive jumped the gun.

"ANNOUNCEMENT: I'm glad to confirm that Mac users would be able to use Zune on their Macs to sync with #WP7," said the tweet. "More details soon."

Similar to the relationship between Apple's iTunes and the iPhone, Microsoft's Zune software will be the only method Windows Phone 7 users have to sync media, photos, music, and videos to and from their PC.

It was previously presumed that the Redmond, Wash.-based software giant would offer offer Mac users a small application to handle syncing only of their phones, but the latest revelation suggests a more feature-rich offering is in the cards, possibly to rival iTunes.

The nine Windows Phone 7 handsets introduced by Microsoft this week are the first to offer the Zune music experience on a phone, allowing users to play their music collection, synced wirelessly from their PC, or stream or download new tunes from the Windows Marketplace.

Many industry-watchers believe the new Windows Phone 7 platform represents Microsoft's last chance to make inroads in the modern mobile space, which is quickly falling into the hands of rivals Apple, Google and Research in Motion.

The first Windows Phone 7 handsets will be available in parts of Europe and Asia on October 21st before making their way to the U.S. market on November 8. Any formal announcement of Zune software for Mac would likely need to precede those launches, meaning more news should become available within the next week.

For Microsoft, it's Zune franchise faces an uphill climb. Although the first Zune media players made their debut back in November of 2006, recent data from NPD has the players occupying a paltry 2% share of the global market. By comparison, Apple's iPod maintains well over a 70% share and is the leading digital music player in every major market within which it participates.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: apple; mac; microsoft; zune
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1 posted on 10/13/2010 7:40:12 AM PDT by WebFocus
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To: WebFocus

Or just use Windows and then you’ll never need a Mac for your Zune.


2 posted on 10/13/2010 7:42:19 AM PDT by library user
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To: WebFocus

I have a hard time believing that any Mac owner actually wants a Zune.


3 posted on 10/13/2010 7:43:50 AM PDT by kevkrom (De-fund Obamacare in 2011, repeal in 2013!)
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To: Swordmaker; ShadowAce

Apple, tech ping.


4 posted on 10/13/2010 7:46:28 AM PDT by Keith in Iowa (FR Class of 1998 | TV News is an oxymoron. | MSNBC = Moonbats Spouting Nothing But Crap.)
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To: kevkrom

Zune software for syncing the w7 phone. I have a hard time believing that a Mac owner would want a w7 phone.


5 posted on 10/13/2010 7:51:33 AM PDT by AFreeBird
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To: AFreeBird

I can’t imagine Windows users wanting a Windows 7 phone.


6 posted on 10/13/2010 7:54:08 AM PDT by Paleo Conservative
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To: Paleo Conservative; kevkrom; AFreeBird

Somehow, I have a distinct feeling that a lot of techies at FR DISLIKE Microsoft and wouldn’t mind seeing the company brought down a few notch...


7 posted on 10/13/2010 8:01:21 AM PDT by WebFocus
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To: WebFocus

I started hating MS back when they integrated Internet Exploder into the OS.


8 posted on 10/13/2010 8:16:05 AM PDT by AFreeBird
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To: WebFocus
I have a distinct feeling that a lot of techies at FR DISLIKE Microsoft

No doubt about it.

But the point of my original comment was that people who have already taken the step to go with a Mac are simply unlikely candidates from a marketing standpoint for a Zune or WinPhone.

9 posted on 10/13/2010 8:28:10 AM PDT by kevkrom (De-fund Obamacare in 2011, repeal in 2013!)
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To: WebFocus

The folks tasked with writing the software much have started working on their resumes the day they learned of the assignment.


10 posted on 10/13/2010 8:39:02 AM PDT by NativeNewYorker (Freepin' Jew Boy)
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To: WebFocus

It’s a trap! /star wars


11 posted on 10/13/2010 9:17:15 AM PDT by TexasRepublic (Socialism is the gospel of envy and the religion of thieves)
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To: ~Kim4VRWC's~; 1234; 50mm; Abundy; Action-America; acoulterfan; AFreeBird; Airwinger; Aliska; ...
Anyone here think that Apple users will adopt the Zune Music Player in large numbers? PING!

Please!
No Flame Wars!
Discuss technical issues, software, and hardware.
Don't attack people!
PLEASE!
Don't respond to the Anti-Apple Thread Trolls!
IGNORE THEM!!!


Apple Zune App Ping!

If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.

12 posted on 10/14/2010 1:54:04 AM PDT by Swordmaker (This tag line is a Microsoft product "insult" free zone!)
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To: WebFocus

At least on the Mac version we will be able to find the “Quit” command easily... unless Microsoft goes and hides the Mac menu bar...


13 posted on 10/14/2010 2:11:42 AM PDT by coconutt2000 (NO MORE PEACE FOR OIL!!! DOWN WITH TYRANTS, TERRORISTS, AND TIMIDCRATS!!!! (3-T's For World Peace))
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To: kevkrom

I guess it is possible...


14 posted on 10/14/2010 2:24:08 AM PDT by Ronin (If he were not so gruesomely incompetent and dangerous, Obama would just be silly.)
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To: coconutt2000

Oh, that made me laugh! :o)


15 posted on 10/14/2010 2:42:11 AM PDT by BunnySlippers (I love BULL MARKETS . . .)
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To: kevkrom
I have a hard time believing that any Mac owner actually wants a Zune.

I have a hard time believing that anyone wants a Zune.

16 posted on 10/14/2010 5:50:56 AM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: coconutt2000
unless Microsoft goes and hides the Mac menu bar...

Apple screwed up the iTunes menu bar for the latest version, so it's not exactly sacrosanct.

17 posted on 10/14/2010 5:52:28 AM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: coconutt2000

Sorry, meant they screwed up the window controls (where the menu bar goes on a Windows app).


18 posted on 10/14/2010 5:53:32 AM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: WebFocus

Zune? Wasn’t that a crappy Sci-Fi movie?


19 posted on 10/14/2010 6:20:50 AM PDT by noblejones (Obama rules!)
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To: antiRepublicrat

Aahhhh... I haven’t looked at the latest version on Windows.

But on a Mac, the menu bar should be present with the application menu containing the “Quit” command.

Microsoft’s new design paradigm is a hash. They should read the book, “Don’t Make Me Think” on interface and layout design.


20 posted on 10/14/2010 12:56:29 PM PDT by coconutt2000 (NO MORE PEACE FOR OIL!!! DOWN WITH TYRANTS, TERRORISTS, AND TIMIDCRATS!!!! (3-T's For World Peace))
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