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Microsoft considering making Zune services available to Apple users

By Mary Jo Foley | October 6, 2009, 12:55pm PDT

Summary

Microsoft is considering whether it should port the Zune software and services to other platforms, including Apple’s. There’s no guarantee that the Redmondians will end up doing this — or timetable as to when this could happen — but it’s one of many strategies under active consideration.

Topics

Microsoft Zune, Apple Inc., Microsoft Corp., Corporate Communications, Digital Music, Digital Media, Marketing, Personal Technology, Consumer Electronics, Mary Jo Foley

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Mary-Jo Foley

Biography

Mary-Jo Foley

Mary-Jo Foley

Mary Jo Foley has covered the tech industry for 20 years for a variety of publications, including ZDNet, eWeek and Baseline. She has kept close tabs on Microsoft strategy, products and technologies for the past 10 years. In the late 1990s, she penned the award-winning "At The Evil Empire" column for ZDNet, and more recently the Microsoft Watch blog for Ziff Davis.

Got a tip? Send her an email with your rants, rumors, tips and tattles. Confidentiality guaranteed.

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For all you who still believe Microsoft is still consumed with the impossible task of beating the iPod with the Zune, here’s more proof that Zune’s future is all about software and services and not hardware.

Microsoft is considering whether it should port the Zune software and services to other platforms, including Apple’s. There’s no guarantee that the Redmondians will end up doing this — or timetable as to when this could happen — but it’s one of many strategies under active consideration.

That’s what I heard today from Jose Pinero, Director of Communications for Microsoft’s TV, Video and Music Business. I had a chance to chat with Pinero at Microsoft’s consumer open-house showcase in New York on October 6.

As I’m currently using the Zune Pass subscription in conjunction with my Sony Walkman MP3 player, I realized that the service isn’t tied to the device. Sure, you don’t get the Zune HD operating system and user interface, but it’s still workable (with a little finagling).

I’ve been thinking that there might be a number of Apple iPod/iPhone users who might prefer a music subscription service over a pay-per-song one. (And one that’s better than Rhapsody.) Given the problems many iTunes users have trying to run iTunes on Windows, maybe they’d be interested in using the Zune software on their Windows PCs, even if they are iPod/iPhone users.

“We are evaluating a lot of options in terms of platforms,” Pinero confirmed, when I asked about this scenario.

He noted that with the addition of the ability to stream music from a browser that is part of the new Zune 4.0 experience, Mac and Linux users already can stream music to their systems if they have a ZunePass subscription. The streaming capability isn’t limited to Internet Explorer; it works with any browser, he said.

So what would it mean to take the Zune experience to Apple users? simply make it easier for iPods/iTouch devices to connect to Zune Pass and to run the Zune software?  I didn’t get any more specifics from Pinero.

While most pundits and many enthusiasts continue to posit that Microsoft is still focused on trying to beat the ubiquitious iPod, that isn’t what the Zune team is thinking.

“Zune is a music and video service from Microsoft. Period,” said Pinero.

(As I’ve reported before, Microsoft officials have said they plan to deliver “at least one more” version of the Zune media player to market, but beyond that, aren’t committing to continue making Microsoft-branded music/video devices. Their thinking is that users will prefer converged devices and want their music  and video on phones and other portable devices instead of dedicated media players.)

I asked Pinero when Microsoft might be bringing the Zune music and video service to Windows Mobile phones.

“Our next step is mobile phones, but we haven’t talked about a timeline for when that will happen,” he said.

Pinero said Microsoft’s more immediate priorities are to get Zune music and Video services on the Xbox. Microsoft officials said earlier this year that Microsoft plans to make the Zune video marketplace available as part of Xbox Live this fall.

Do you think Microsoft could and should port the Zune software and services to other platforms, especially those from Apple? Any brave and/or crazy Apple iPod/iTouch users out there who have found a way to use their devices with ZunePass?

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Mary Jo has covered the tech industry for more than 25 years for a variety of publications and Web sites, and is a frequent guest on radio, TV and podcasts, speaking about all things Microsoft-related. She is the author of Microsoft 2.0: How Microsoft plans to stay relevant in the post-Gates era (John Wiley & Sons, 2008).

Disclosure

Mary-Jo Foley

Freelance journalist/blogger Mary Jo Foley has nothing to disclose. WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get). I do not own Microsoft stock or stock in any of its partners or competitors. I have no business ventures that are sponsored by/funded by Microsoft or any of its partners or competitors. I have not accepted any consulting funds from Microsoft, any of its partners or its competitors for any studies/projects.

Biography

Mary-Jo Foley

Mary Jo Foley has covered the tech industry for 20 years for a variety of publications, including ZDNet, eWeek and Baseline. She has kept close tabs on Microsoft strategy, products and technologies for the past 10 years. In the late 1990s, she penned the award-winning "At The Evil Empire" column for ZDNet, and more recently the Microsoft Watch blog for Ziff Davis.

Got a tip? Send her an email with your rants, rumors, tips and tattles. Confidentiality guaranteed.

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Talkback Most Recent of 41 Talkback(s)

  • Hell Yes!
    iTunes is the only thing that's making me want to ditch my iPhone. It's a bloated piece of garbage. At least on Windows. However, the Zune software runs beautifully. I already have the Zune Pass so win-win.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    pdskep
    10/06/2009 01:24 PM
  • I agree..
    I install iTunes to update the iPhone firmware and then remove straight away. The Zune software is such a pleasure to use even if you don't own a Zune.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    eqpc
    10/06/2009 01:46 PM
  • You can get iTunes replacements that are compatible with iPods (nt)
    .
    ZDNet Gravatar
    shadfurman
    10/07/2009 02:30 PM
  • Yep!!!
    I sure hope they do port it to other platforms. the more popular it becomes the better for Microsoft. Zune platform is really really good. Zune software makes iTunes look archaic.

    Still hard to believe it's from Microsoft.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    rjohn05
    10/06/2009 02:20 PM
  • Really?
    Why? Do Microsoft actually expect the Zune to gain traction?
    Deluded!!! The iPod Touch has the application advantage, and
    really that's what counts. Given the fact that the Zune is a US
    only product and in 2009 has no "App Store", well it seems
    sunk.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    jeremychappell
    10/06/2009 02:20 PM
  • Yes, really.
    Zune as software and a service can defiantly gain
    traction. Once the Marketplace hits XBOX Live it
    will soon be know worldwide very well and people
    will know what's up when they release the device
    internationally or the software on the computers
    and mobile devices.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    wixostrix@...
    10/06/2009 02:33 PM

  • ZDNet Blogger

    zune hw vs. zune sw/services
    Hi. The Zune HD platform is not MS' long-term vision/vehicle (as I note above). There are no plans to make an app store available for the Zune HD player or (so far) to make Zune HD players available outside the U.S.

    This is because the future of Zune is software + services. MS is getting out of the player business some time in the next few years. Pundits and some enthusiasts don't want to hear this, but this is what they are doing. They expect the Zune software and services (video and music) -- not the hardware -- to gain traction. MJ
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Mary Jo Foley
    10/06/2009 02:46 PM
  • You're simply making this up as you go ...
    I bet Mary Jo can't provide a single link to any article where MS states
    they are getting out of the Zune hardware business (aside from her
    own previous articles). Ballmer's comments in January were specifically
    targeted at the prospects of a Zune Phone, not the Zune media player
    form factor.

    The official Zune site expresses strong commitment to the Zune
    hardware platform:
    http://www.zune.net/en-us/press/2009/0915-zunelaunch.htm

    It is simply pathetic that 'journalists' like Mary Jo make this stuff up as
    they go along, or base entire articles on six-month old comments that
    they have completely misinterpretted.

    Grawl!x.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    grawl!x
    10/06/2009 04:39 PM
  • Microsoft probably admits this to MJF
    but doesn't want a lot of press about it. She
    knows more than they are publicly trumpeting.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    HollywoodDog
    10/07/2009 07:55 AM

  • ZDNet Blogger

    MS says it in this post again
    Pinero says that Zune is a software and service play only.

    I like the Zune HD. In fact, I just ordered one. I think it is really nice. But MS believes that the days of dedicated music/video players is numbered. That's why they are going to put Zune on Win Mobile (and maybe other) phones.

    I am the bearer of what you consider bad news. But I am definitely not making this up. MS is saying it but enthusiasts don't want to hear it. Thanks. MJ
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Mary Jo Foley
    10/07/2009 09:38 AM
  • Of course he doesn't want to hear it
    He bought a doomed product and nobody wants to buy a doomed product.

    Just look at all the whining that occurred among HD-DVD owners there a couple of years ago. Denial - rage - anger and eventually acceptance...

    Btw, *accepting* something doesn't mean you have to like it.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Wintel BSOD
    10/07/2009 05:12 PM
  • Dude, the interviewee said they have no plans...
    Its still a test market... it's how Microsoft has
    always worked. If the Zune takes off, of course
    they will continue manufacturing it. If it doesn't
    they aren't going to stay in a business that isn't
    making much money. duh!

    Petty name calling isn't becoming.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    shadfurman
    10/07/2009 02:39 PM
  • Zune's going "bye bye" ????
    Fun times. Have you got this confirmed from, say Ballmer or someone else important at Microsoft?
    ZDNet Gravatar
    zkiwi
    10/06/2009 07:50 PM
  • Apps...
    Why is it these little battery drainers are so popular?

    I bought a Zune because it is nothing more than a PMP, yes, I use the browser sporadically, but as for apps go, why do we need them on a iPod?
    ZDNet Gravatar
    NStalnecker
    10/06/2009 03:14 PM
  • Gaming (nt)
    .
    ZDNet Gravatar
    shadfurman
    10/07/2009 02:42 PM
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