We already knew the Zune was pretty much dead and gone — the mp3 player, that is, not the service — but until very recently you could still take a stroll down memory lane by going to Microsoft’s Zune page and looking at all the Zune HDs frolicking in the background. No longer. The Zune itself has been expunged from the Zune page and new players will no longer be produced.

It’s actually long overdue. The primary Zune ecosystem moved over to Windows Phone 7 a long time ago, and it seemed strange to have discontinued hardware on a page that should be touting how much better the new phones are than the old dedicated player. Even if that’s not strictly true.

As I am contractually obligated by Microsoft to mention every time I write about Zune (disclosure: I am not contractually obligated by anyone to do anything at all), I love my Zune HD and still use it every day. But I’m aware that it’s a relic, and I would have liked to have the media capabilities of the WP7 phones thrust in my face as powerfully as the Zune HD’s were back in the day. Although they might consider a less opaque advertising strategy this time around.

Will Microsoft ever try to Zune it up again? I would actually say yes, but not any time soon. Windows 8 will likely leverage Zune features for its media playback, and after the tablet OS is refined a little, a compact version of it could possibly emerge. But as it sits now, per a Zune Support page, the players are gone. [via winrumors]

We recently announced that, going forward, Windows Phone will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy, and that we will no longer be producing Zune players. So what does this mean for our current Zune users? Absolutely nothing. Your device will continue to work with Zune services just as it does today. And we will continue to honor the warranties of all devices for both current owners and those who buy our very last devices. Customer service has been, and will remain a top priority for us. To get the most out of your Zune player or for additional support, see the following sites:

As usual, the fate of this interesting and ahead of its time (true regardless of the failure of the Zune hardware) Microsoft property is hazy. But perhaps by putting the past behind it, Microsoft is getting ready to take the next step.

Yes, you read the headline correctly. The Zune HD, which was recently rolled up and borged into the Windows Phone 7 brand, has received no less than nine new apps. We heard that the existing Zune games and apps would be ported to WP7, but perhaps during that process they decided to brush off a few that were still sitting in the box.

The new apps are mostly games, time wasters if I’m honest, and while I don’t think anyone will be going nuts about this particular app drop, it’s always nice when legacy hardware sees a little love.

If you’re a Zune HD owner (bless your heart), the new apps should show up and be loadable if you’ll just open up your Zune player. I know I’ll be downloading these — my Zune HD is still going strong, and I plan to make it last for at least a couple more years.

NO information about our future plans, no matter what the incarnation, has been shared. Until then treat with healthy skepticism anything you read.

ALL consumer electronics products have a lifespan, and the Zune HD is 18mo old. We were completely frank about this year’s Zune hardware being the WP7 phones, and we continue to both sell and fully support the Zune HD line of products. And as I’ve promised – we continue to bring new apps and games to the platform.

So, clear enough, right? Yes, but also just unclear enough for us to continue with our original understanding of the Zune’s “death”: no new dedicated Zune hardware is likely, and the service itself will be integrated into a larger suite of media management tools, probably a big unified one for rollout around the time the big Nokia push happens.

I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but it’s sad considering how solid the Zune HD and subscription services are. But thanks to Dave for setting the record a little straighter.

[via Engadget]

Not exactly unexpected; the Zune hardware hasn’t changed since mid-2009′s release of the Zune HD, although it has received several significant software upgrades. The writing has been on the wall for a long time, but whether Microsoft would double down (again) or cut their losses was far from clear.

Let’s just have a quick trip down memory lane. CrunchGear was one of the first in the world to see the Zune after a Microsoft employee unwisely (or perhaps wisely) left one on the table at a Seattle dive bar with bloggers around. We covered it feverishly, as it seemed to be a dark horse competitor to the iPod that might actually stand a chance. The unique (but cumbrous) sharing features, the brown shell (which, despite ridicule, was their most popular Zune), and the obtuse advertisements all suggested… well, something new and interesting.

Various updates brought us to today’s Zune HD and Zune software, both of which must be complimented for a truly original and effective interface. I still use the Zune HD and it still gets compliments. But sales were never what Microsoft hoped, perhaps because of Microsoft’s on-the-fence attitude about apps and additional functionality. While the iPod touch is plainly billed as an iPhone sans phone, the Zune was billed as being all about the music – except it was all about the cloud – except it had apps – except it didn’t have a clock – except it was in Windows Phone 7 – except it was in the Kin… and so on. It wasn’t a total albatross (it’s sold several million and the streaming service is well-liked) but that’s not much to throw in the face of the indomitable iPod.

It’s a sad story, one of many in which Microsoft is unable to find the right gun for a bullet. However, with the choice to integrate with WP7, and the imminent roll-out of WP7 via Nokia, the Zune service will probably live on, though almost certainly as part of a larger media and data cloud service (perhaps the “Ventura” project they’re hiring for). Their forward-thinking pioneership in streaming and subscription music (now reflected in cloud music services like Rdio and Spotify) are not forgotten, either. Zune DNA, and hardy DNA it is, will survive in the Metro interface and everywhere else thin, clipped sans-serif text is found.

One could say this was their plan all along, as part of their “three screens” wraparound service, but the fact is it’s been plan B all along, and now that the Zune has failed to dent Apple’s share from the media player side, they’re going to try a different tack. As for the player? No new hardware means the Zune HD is the last of its breed, though it will likely be sold for a while longer. Hell, at $179 I still think the 32GB version is a great deal. And now that you know there won’t be a Zune HD 2, the original is, in a way, future-proof.

So long, Zune. It’s been a long, brown trip.

Update: Zune’s hardware business development guy has commented, downplaying the report but pretty much confirming what we’ve written here, that the Zune as a discrete player and brand is being rolled into WP7.

The Zune brand and look have been partially left behind; the “Metro” UI has elements from the Zune, but the Zune player itself doesn’t really fit in. Could there be a relaunch of Windows Media Player? That would be funny.

It’s still very early in development, as indicated by Foley’s sources and a job listing that seems to indicate it’s more or less in the planning stages. We’ll keep our eyes open, though.

[via WMPowerUser]

The world needed the Zune. Hell, Apple needed the Zune. Microsoft better not kill off the Zune. Too bad it’s already as good as cooked. Bye bye, Zune. We’ll miss you.

As Mary-Jo Foley points out, Microsoft suits are seemingly avoiding using the platform’s name lately. It’s a bit strange seeing how the Zune brand is fairly important to Windows Phone 7. The mobile phone platform uses the Zune name for all things media. But it’s still odd that not only are Microsoft executives not talking about the brand, but also the absence of talk was noticed. Chances are if anything is changing, the brand will survive. It’s the physical media players that might get the pink slip. And that sucks.

The Zune launched as the anti-iPod. It was brown instead of white. You rented music instead of buying it. It was Microsoft’s attempt to think different. It worked. The Zune was a winner even if the sales numbers don’t agree. The Zune products kept up with the iPods in storage and specs for some time. Even the Zune HD countered the iPod touch nicely until Apple ultimately trumped Microsoft with the App Store — and then FaceTime.

The Zune products still stands as one of the best portable media players on the market. The Zune HD is a rock-solid device sold at a fair price. But it’s likely on its way out. Microsoft is moving forward hard with Windows Phone 7.

Zune products never sold all that well anyway. Microsoft was always in contention for the number two spot in the PMP race. Apple of course held a massive chunk of the market, but SanDisk, Rio, Samsung, Philips, Archos, and eventually Sony were fighting for second place. The Zune is about the only memorable device to stand strong against the iPod horde. It’s still number 13 on Amazon’s Bestselling MP3 player’s list. Only cheap SanDisk players separate it from the iPods.

It’s hard to imagine the Steve Jobs & Co. didn’t follow the Zune closely. The Zune Marketplace subscription comes to mind as Apple roles out a more modern version. But the hardware, the interface, the whole platform was on par with Apple’s when it debuted. Apple likely saw that its touch products needed something different and more storage wasn’t the key. It was the App Store, which is about the only reason currently to buy an iPod touch of a Zune HD. Apps later debuted on the Zune HD but some two years later, there’s still only a tiny fraction available.

The Kin’s death shows that Microsoft isn’t letting sub-par platforms survive. It’s make it big or hit the road now, and well, the Zune MP3 player is probably on the way out.

The Zune name will live on. It’s part of the Xbox 360 ecosystem. Windows Phone 7 uses the brand for locally-stored media. The name is important to Microsoft. The MP3 player isn’t. It’s still possible that the long-rumored Zune HD2 will surface (maybe at SXSW) and lead a valiant charge towards the iPod touch. But the timing feels off. Even Apple has slowed the progress of its large format media players and now with Nokia in Microsoft’s camp, smartphones will likely suck up all the dev juice.

Microsoft already split up the Zune team back in 2009. The majority went into the Interactive Entertainment Business division that also oversees the Xbox. A smaller chunk went with the WinMo 6.5 people. Whatever the future holds for the Zune, hopefully these people were at least internally recognized for their product. The Zune, and later the Zune HD, are fantastic. Too bad the same can’t be said about Windows Phone 7 yet.

The instructions are here; they’re quite straightforward, but be warned, this feature is not supported and may in fact be disabled for good reason. Back up your Zune on your PC before you try this!

This could be pretty handy, but it’s also worth noting that the Zune HD has pretty good on-device support for getting and removing music. I wouldn’t have a problem traveling with it and my Mac, even if I couldn’t sync it. Download music from the store, delete directly from the device.

[via Download Squad]

I know, it’s a bit daunting to pay for a year of anything these days, which I suspect will limit the effectiveness of this $150 annual pass offer. People don’t like to be locked into things, even if they locked themselves in and it’s a good deal. Could be good for bundling with Windows Phone 7 Phone Mobile Handset handsets, though.

It’s live now in the US, the UK, the Italy, and the Spain. Will it roll out to the other countries Zune recently expanded to? Probably, but who can say?

So for $150 you get 12 months of the service, which normally costs $15/mo., plus 10 “keepers” per month, which would have cost a buck each. So if you were planning on buying some music anyway, and you use the service properly (no guarantee there on either of those for most people), you’re really only spending about $30, for access to quite a large library of music. It really is a pretty good deal — if you’re willing to go the whole hog.

That’s right. The whole hog.

[via Ars Electronica]

Of course, pricing and availability for certain programs and features differs from country to country, because a simple worldwide distribution platform is a fairy tale we tell our children, or a scary tale music execs tell theirs. There are variations.

Zune’s awesome subscription service is coming to the old country, though sadly incomplete: whereas here you pay $15 for unlimited streaming and 10 “keeper” tracks you own forever, our European cousins will not be saving any tracks. Streaming only, people. In the UK, it’ll set you back £9 per month, and if you’re in France, Italy, or Spain, it’ll be €10. It’s just not the same without the keepers, but it’s still a solid deal.

Music purchase and video rental and purchase are expanding to a bunch of new countries. I’m not going to summarize; here’s what it says in the press release:

Music purchase (U.K., France, Italy, Spain and Germany). Expansion to these markets will enable consumers to purchase MP3s and listen on their Windows-based PC, Windows Phone 7 or any other device that supports MP3 format. Users will also be able to purchase music videos to enjoy on Windows-based PC, Windows Phone 7 and Zune on Xbox LIVE.
Video purchase (U.K., France, Germany, Canada, Australia and New Zealand).Consumers will now be able to purchase movies to download and watch anywhere — on the big screen in the living room with Xbox LIVE or their Windows-based PC as well as sync it to their Windows Phone 7 to enjoy on the go.(9)
Movie rental (U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Mexico, Canada, Australia and New Zealand).In addition to Zune video on Xbox LIVE, consumers in these countries will now be able to rent movies for viewing on their Windows-based PC or choose to sync the rental to their Windows Phone 7.

There you have that. No word on whether the services will come in brown.

This is all preliminary to the Windows Phone 7 rollout later this fall, when it would be wise to have media services in place. The in-the-cloud ownership or rentalship of various media really is very versatile, and you’ll be able to transfer most of your purchases and rentals to any PC, your Xbox Live Gold account, or soon, your Windows Phone 7 Series Phone Series Mobile Handset. I like the idea that you can tether your phone to someone else’s computer, log into Zune from your account, and then sync stuff to your phone. I’m not sure I’ll ever actually have that pleasure, but it’s nice to know they have the media flows worked out. One account, many screens. That’s the ideal we’re all working towards, anyway, or so they say.

No, there is no update imminent for the well-loved Zune HD hardware. The many and varied WP7 handsets that will surely debut over the next few months will have to serve your gadget lust for now, if what you lust after in particular is a clipped sans-serif in a high-contrast, stylized menu system.

Full press release below.

It’d make sense: several of the apps and improvements we’ve been seeing trickling out of WP7 development would work great on a Zune, though they might have to be slightly altered. Of course, Microsoft doesn’t always do what makes sense.

If they did it, they’d have to to it fast. The WP7 momentum will carry a couple months for other devices, and if they’re smart, they’ll aim for that. But if (as the rumors suggest) they’re looking at sometime in 2011, I’m afraid they’re going to have a lot more competition.

[via ZDNet]

Years ago, the music industry could have blamed falling album sales on piracy. “Nobody’s buying the latest Chingy because they’re just downloading a 128CBR rip from Suprnova~!” What’s the excuse now when people have loads of legitimate digital options—iTunes, Zune, Pandora, Spotify, Rdio, etc.—at their fingertips? Oh, right: it’s still piracy. Please update your act.

The numbers are pretty dire for the music industry.

Album sales this past week were a paltry 4.95m units sold. That’s the lowest number on record.

Sales are down 12 percent for the year, too.

Digital album sales, while steadily increasing, haven’t made up the difference.

Perhaps that’s because: why should I buy an album when I can merely listen to the song I want, when I want with Spotify?

Of course, piracy is the boogie man here, with the IFPI claiming [PDF] that for every legal download there’s 20 illegal downloads. Seeing as though it’s nigh impossible to accurately track such numbers, well, I patently don’t believe it.

No matter: enjoy your legal digital music choices in 2010 while the record labels continue to use 2002 rhetoric.

The truth is, of course, that Apple’s policy of leapfrogging existing ideas without actually changing much is a perfect foil for Microsoft, who tends to let their innovations stagnate. Even as a Zune fan, I have to say, it’s disappointing how little has been done with the project since I reviewed it. Where are all the cool apps and games? Why can’t I stream shows at Wi-Fi spots?

Apple is taking the step that Microsoft has been unwilling or unable to. Good for Apple, but let’s be fair when we grade their accomplishment: as usual, they are standing on the shoulders of lazy giants.

Everything else is true: the price is $349.99, the 64GB model is running firmware 4.5, and you can pick it up here, now. What wasn’t expected was that the 16GB version is now $200, and the 32GB version is now $270. Not a bad deal, eh?

If you want to update, just plug in your Zune and fire up the software, it should download automatically. Then you can XVid your eyes out.

This new device will run the 4.5 firmware.

In addition to introducing the new 64GB capacity, we are also reducing the prices of the 16GB and 32GB devices. Starting today, new price lists are being distributed bringing the estimated retail price (ERP) for the Zune 16GB device to $199.99 and the Zune HD 32GB device to $269.99.

With its OLED multi-touch screen, built-in HD radio, HD video out capabilities and Internet browser, Zune HD is a full-function media player which has received accolades from press and consumers. We’ve also announced details of an upcoming firmware update which will add even more features to the device, such as Smart DJ auto-playlists capability directly on the Zune HD, ability to browse, stream and acquire music from Zune Marketplace on your TV (while the device is connected to a TV set through the A/V dock) and expanded codec support allowing users to play more video formats natively from the device.

You can pick it up here.

If there is one rumor that tends to come and go and agonizes Windows Mobile fans, it’s the one about a Zune phone. Although it’s not officially confirmed, Gizmodo has it on good word that Microsoft will be introducing a Zune phone at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this year. More specifically, it will be a Windows Mobile 7 phone with Zune features and capabilities, so it’s not a Zune phone, per se.

Giz says their source confirmed that “the Zune Phone presentation at Barcelona’s Mobile World Congress 2010 is 100% confirmed.” Details are scant, but the new phone is said to have an Nvidia Tegra series chip, 480×272 screen, HDMI out and weighs in at a lightweight 2.45 ounces. We’re certainly looking forward to what Microsoft has in store for MWC and hoping that WinMo 7 takes off on some killer hardware.

[Via MuyComputer]

If you haven’t guessed, Microsoft is about to get all Apple up in this piece.

The UI looks just like the Zune HD’s with some phone controls built-in. The HD has defined the interface and the use case here, so expect a capacitive multi-touch screen with plenty of media controls.

Now for the nuts and bolts: WinMo 7 has no background processing and will use an Apple-like notification service. There is no system resource access and no threaded processes. In fact, there is no customization at all.

WinMo 7 will not run 6.x code. End of story. It is based on Silverlight and .Net. Everything save a few basic programs will not work under WinMo 7. There is no expectation that this will be a “business device” and the focus is currently on games including some XBox Live functionality for gaming and messaging. There will be a Microsoft App store with an easy approval process.

There is no visual voicemail, probably for patent reasons. As for developers, they’re kind of pissed. As far as we can tell they’re not quite sure they want to take the steps necessary to move over to the new platform. This is a Hail Mary pass and could mean huge changes in the WinMo ecosystem. This could also mean Zune sync software for the Mac, something that we expected when pigs flew.

Special thanks to our fearless tipster.

Somehow I missed the skating game, but I already shot and rendered my video before even seeing it, so if you’re waiting on that one, best look elsewhere. But I checked out Audiosurf Tilt, Project Gotham Racing, Checkers, Lucky Lanes Bowling, and Goo Splat. I skipped Chess, Sudoku, and for some reason Space Battle 2, which sounds right up my alley.

The games are all free, and they all display an ad beforehand. That’s a bit ugly, but we knew it was coming, and I have to stick to my guns — the ad-supported world is coming and we’d better get used to it.

Any of you fine folks out there having trouble? I’ll see if I can scare up any info from the Zune team and post an update later. [Thanks, Aditya]

Update: My Zunepal tells me that the DRM reset tool might work, though that’s all the information he volunteered. Anybody brave enough to try it?