14 DAY TRIAL // Believe it or not, the fact of the matter is that Microsoft claims the new lineup of iPods made available by Apple is nothing to the Redmond company. Following the release of Zune version 1.0 in early November 2006, Microsoft has been dead quiet about the future plans of its digital media player. According to reports unconfirmed by the company, the Zune version 2.0 devices are in the making, with the cooking time expected to come at an end prior to the holiday season. In this respect, Apple has already taken the lead on Microsoft. On September 5, Apple announced the new iPod nano and classic, as well as the iPod Touch and the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store.
The Redmond company anticipated the move and cut down the price of Zune, although Microsoft revealed that the price reduction was in no manner related to the new iPod offerings. Additionally, while Apple's new lineup is bound to enforce the Cupertino-based company's domination on the digital media player market, and Zune is struggling at the periphery, Microsoft stated that its development plans for Zune version 2.0 are in no way affected.
"Oh, and this may come as a shock to folks, but the Apple Computer announcement doesn't actually change any of our plans. Of course we watched with some degree of interest but our plans have been in motion for some time now. No announcements to make other than the fact that the Zune team remains committed to building a solid experience for users," Microsoft's Cesar Menendez stated.
Is this a sign that Microsoft is totally dormant and that the juggernaut is incapable of issuing a response or gear up for a reaction to Apple? Far from it. In fact, the statement merely offers an insight into the proximity of Zune 2.0. Microsoft at this point in time is in such an advanced stage with the development of the next generation of Zunes that it is incapable to introduce change into the existing projects. Menendez offers nothing more than the confirmation that the next lineup of Zune devices will follow Apple's fresh iPods to the market.
"In the spirit of a continual two way conversation, I want to say that I've read each and every comment. I'm glad to have a place where the most vocal Zune community can share their candid thoughts - good, bad, and ugly. I had said the recent announcement doesn't change any of our plans - it doesn't. We're really confident about the lineup we're building, and to the enhancements we're bringing to gen 1 Zunes (no specifics to share right now)," Menendez added.