Zune phone specs spied
Nailed down data - or Microsoft wish list?
Zune phone rumours have been doing the rounds for years, but now an accurate rundown of the gadget’s hardware may finally have been uncovered.
A “trustworthy source who requested anonymity” told ZDNet that the phone – known by several names, including 'Zune Phone' and 'Pink' – will run Windows Mobile 7 and feature an ARM v6+ processor.
It’s worth noting that at various points throughout the rundown references are made to “required” features. This suggests that the list’s more of a leaked compilation of features which Microsoft may believe the Zune phone should offer.
For example, the list indicates that while a 3Mp camera would be included as standard, a second camera would be “optional” but the inclusion of Assisted GPS is “required”.
Other mandated features include a light sensor, an accelerometer and a compass.
The leaked specifications appear adamant that the Zune phone will feature a 3.5in, 800 x 480 display with multi-touch support. A reference to “Start, Back, Send and End” controls suggest the device will also feature either several physical buttons.
A USB connection, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 802.11b/g would all be required, while customers will be able to plug their headphones into a 3.5mm jack.
References are also made to Micro SD support, an FM tuner and haptics – the latter of which suggests Microsoft’s thought long and hard about how the device would be used for entering text.
Microsoft has yet to make any official announcement about a Zune mobile phone. ®
COMMENTS
Development Platform
To clarify: for desktop, I am a dot net developer for SharePoint, but for mobile the best development platform is the one where what you develop might actually be paid for by someone. The App store on iPhone/Touch is how it should be done, easy to browse and purchase from the device in seconds in a vetted environment with QA (though sometimes draconian) with a huge user population who are very used to such micro-transactions and a well documented and updated API, seems like a good option. More than anything, Apple's approach is joined up especially the universality of the App store being able to be used on touch/iPhone and the maturity of it which gives users confidence.
Its the complete opposite of the almost schizophrenic offerings from competing parties especially regarding the DRM switching. Who is going to invest heavily in music if they fully expect the music/apps provider to go bust and pull the plug on all its servers and then switch to a different model?
I'm not knocking the Zune on its software which I know was very good and a bit different, but seemed like a wasted effort when Microsoft hardly tried very hard to get it to be mass-adopted overall. No world-wide launch, patchy support for it within MS itself and a 'follower' mentality meant that generally people wouldn't have one as a gift. The name is PR whacky and some decisions like the brown model have become its lasting legacy. Why they are maintaining the brand for the future is nuts as its a toxic asset outside of the MS faithful as far as I can see.
Its very difficult to dethrone Apple because their users and branding are entrenched and so many iPods get sold on the back of recommendation and 'cool' factor. To compete with this you have to get everything right, and MS didn't do that. they are however in good company as Sony have spectacularly failed in this regard also. Whilst the pedantic IT profs and linux users might find fault with iTunes, very few users do outside of IT, simply because the DRM is unintrusive for the most part and *overall* its significant component of the iPod offering which is unmatched and frequently overlooked.
I think this clinches it for Apple in this regard.
Why?
Why can't Microsoft stick with what they're good at ...
Paying fines!
you are not alone
I like the zune too, the zunepass is really nice. I don't care what the rest want to say , I get the songs I pay for because I download them 10 a month and that is what my 15 pays for plus I have a slew of other free songs in the millions to download and listen to for the month......so whoever say using the zunepass is stupid, is stupid.
well ...
some of you might disagree, but I think Zune MP3 players were much better than iPods. I'm not saying better looking but better features. The desktop app was really nice and I cannot believe it was coming from MS hands. Their monthly subscription service is way more interesting than Apple iTunes model. I personally like more then menus on Zune.
Robin, as a developer.... do you really think iPhone is the best development platform? Really?
Marvellous
No doubt that they will seek to limit whatever profit they may make by just selling it in the motherland. The rest of the world need not apply.
