14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has quietly killed Zune Originals, which was designed to offer customers the possibility to buy personalized digital media player devices from the Redmond company.
Customers that make their way to the Zune Originals website will be thanked for their visit, and informed of the hub’s discontinuation via the following message:
“We are no longer taking new orders for Zune Originals. To purchase a Zune HD device, please visit one of our retailers.” Users are directed to either Best Buy or Walmart to purchase Zune devices. (via EntertainmentConnected)
Here is the official Zune Originals description that the software giant was using prior to killing it:
“Zune Originals is an online store that allows you to custom-build your new Zune player purchased exclusively through zuneoriginals.net.”
It appears that June 30th, 2011 was the last day of life for Zune Originals, with Microsoft stressing that “Orders placed on Zune Originals prior to July 1, 5pm (PDT) will be processed normally.”
The Redmond company notes that the shutting of Zune Originals will not have an impact on the services associated with the device.
“We hope you continue to enjoy the Zune video and music service across Xbox 360, Windows Phone, Zune devices and PCs, which continues to expand,” the software giant said.
“See how Windows Phone isn’t just a phone, it's also a great Zune music and video player!”
It’s of course extremely interesting how Microsoft choose to focus on Windows Phone devices instead of on Zune digital media players.
Once again, the question of whether Zune has any future is inherent. What’s clear is that Zune Services will indeed survive, since they have a place in the Windows Phone universe, but it appears that they won’t be able to drag the Zune devices along with them and ensure that they’ll survive.
Microsoft hasn’t introduced anything new after Zune HD, device-wise, and I fear that the company never will, I’m just waiting for the official confirmation, and can’t think of why the software giant is dragging its feet to confirm the death of Zune devices.