Zune services to be split, re-named [Rumor]
As the title says, file this under rumor...but one that may be detailed this Tuesday, the 24th.
According to @MS_Nerd, who has an interesting history with leaks from within Microsoft, the Zune services as we know them will be broken apart, presumably in response to the Nokia deal, which is making some of the backend redundant:
"Wee little rumor seeping out now: Zune next to be split into Xbox mobile, Xbox Live & Windows Live Zune on the 24th."
"And the Zune backend platform will become a "Nokia services on Azure" offering, with content from Netflix, Last.fm & Hulu among others."
If true, this comes a little more than 2-years after the first Zune team was broken up into hardware and software services, with the former being absorbed under the Windows Mobile group. Now it's the latter which is being divvied and presumably gobbled up by other divisions within the company.
There's been talk for awhile now of "Zune re-branding" and something happening within that division, so this isn't too far fetched. We'll see what happens, if anything, this Tuesday.
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Godikt says:
Why wont they just leave it. Damn it Microsoft the Zune name is actually cool. Don't mess with it.
Saljen says:
Zune is one brand that I wouldn't recommend Microsoft disband... it's actually one people LIKE!
Rocket Man 36 says:
I love the Zune brand but It has very little recongnition. I think re-branding it would be a good idea on Microsoft's part and they won't mess it up.
winmopro says:
I think they should rename it Zune by Windows Live. Windows live Zune sounds weird.
banzai#WP says:
I agree, the 'Zune' name needs to stay. It and Xbox are two different things.
Jf.Vigor says:
I dont care if they change the name or keep it. But pleaaaase dont take away the amazing service that I have NO problem paying $15 monthly for
J45PER says:
Zune sounds nice as a brand and it also ties in Microsoft's multiple platforms giving them one identity if Microsoft split up the Zune brand they don't just lose their coolest brand the fragment their music service.
cool8man says:
I have no idea what this means, so can someone explain what this means to someone who has an annual Zune Pass and has purchased a ton of videos on Xbox 360 through Zune?Will I still be able to stream and download all of my videos on Xbox, PC, Zune HD, & Windows Phone?
jdelroyc says:
i dont care as long as it still works with my zune, phone, xbox, and pc.
rikkit says:
I think it's a mistake to tack on 'Windows Live' to all of their services. Combine that with Ovi becoming Nokia Services, and you get atrocities like Windows Live Zune for Windows Phone and Nokia Services for Windows Live Azure.
Jf.Vigor says:
Trueness
Grubish360 says:
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NPGMBR says:
Is it just more or does that look like VP Cheney?
jabtano says:
Zune is cool "Windows" JUST SOUNDS SO DAM YESTERDAY!
EJNelly says:
Nobody knows what Zune is, everybody knows what Windows is. I agree Windows sounds yesterday, but lets not pretend that Zune doesn't need re-branded and re-marketed.
Shack2424 says:
I get it if Nokia gets involved with the international part of Xbox on the back end. But I really don't need to see (confusing) Nokia branding on my 360!All a little jumping the gun. MS hasn't announced any plays for Nokia in regards to their phones or services for buying the company. Don't see how MS is gonna give them the keys to the kingdom just so they make some phones (though Nokia Maps is pretty sweet being a former Xpress 5800 user as well as N95)Just don't see how or why Nokia needs to get involved with 360
cashkennedy says:
Using windows or xbox just further confuses customers about whether it works on any platform and whether its music/ gaming/ office work. I like the live.com monicker for most microsoft services, and think it should just be live music, or live.com music, or bing music. I would be fine with it just staying as zune as well.
Grubish360 says:
I agree. Live makes everything feel like it is together. Just leave the service names alone though. When I see Xbox, I think gaming. When I see Zune, I think music/video. Office for productivity. Windows, I think of operating systems. Bing for search.Live is what connects all of these services together. I don't understand why Microsoft needs to make this complex.This is one thing apple does so much better than Microsoft.
SeanR1221 says:
Another sign pointing to a portable Xbox (think an iPod touch version of WP7).You guys say to not change the Zune name, but I think too many people view it as the thing that couldn't beat the iPod. The Xbox brand is incredibly strong. I think MS will be taking a big risk, but if Mango brings an increased connection to the Xbox and Kinect, it could push things a little. MS will also have to pump out a lot more XBLA games and DotW. I could also see another *everyone gets a free device!* at E3. Price it at 150.00 to undercut the iPod touch.Any other speculation?
NPGMBR says:
So all the other PMPs on the market should re-brand because they coudln't beat with the iPod? Zune is the one competitor that gained enough recognition to always be compared to the iPod. What other PMP out there has acheived that status? Case in point: Every time Steven Colbert makes fun of an iPod competitor he specifically names Zune. No one ever mentions any other PMP!
Dark Mirage says:
What is it with Microsoft giving everything two to three names? Xbox Live Arcade? Windows Live Zune? Too much of a mouthful.Tone it down, make it appealing, let it grow.
braydee89 says:
They need one cohesive name for the music department. iTunes doesn't have a different name for each device that apple places it.
mango.lover says:
Please keep Zune very, very far away from Windows Live, aka "We release stuff every 3 years"
