The Verge - The Zune HD is dead

Microsoft confirms Zune HD is dead

2011-10-09T21:02:00Z

After a flurry of back and forth reports concerning the life of the Zune HD, WMPoweruser is now reporting that Microsoft has indeed pulled the plug on its Zune hardware, and will instead focus its efforts moving forward on the software and services side of the equation.

We reached out to a Microsoft representative for confirmation, and were told that this latest news is indeed correct. In their words: "We are no longer producing Zune devices. Going forward, Windows Phone will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy."

It seems that over the last few days, even Microsoft wasn't sure if Zune hardware would soldier on. When the product pages were first pulled, Microsoft quickly recanted, claiming they were removed in error....

Zune HD: still alive?

2011-10-05T14:12:42Z

Seriously, we don't know what's going on with the Zune HD. Apparently pulling the device from the Zune front page originally was a "mixup," and now the statement from Microsoft that did indeed seem to confirm the death of the device has been removed itself! Supposedly the statement was added in "error," and according to a Zune support team Tweet, "no official info has been released stating hardware is being discontinued." We also hear that we may or may not have always been at war with Eurasia. Obviously Windows Phone is the primary thrust these days, and it's not like people are lining up to buy the Zune HD anymore, but we'd just like some closure, you know? In any case, you can still pick up a Zune HD at Walmart, complete with free...

Microsoft 'will no longer be producing Zune players,' and that's the final word

2011-10-04T01:26:00Z

This morning, the Zune HD mysteriously disappeared from Microsoft's Zune website, prompting rabid speculation that the hardware was no more. Later, the multimedia player was restored to its place of former glory. Now, however, the official Zune support page suggests that the original tidings were true: the Zune HD's dead as a doornail. Just read the following quote:

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...

Is Zune hardware dead? Microsoft removes all mentions from website (updated)

2011-10-03T18:32:54Z

It's not official yet, but it looks like Microsoft's Zune hardware may have faded into the good night -- all mentions of the Zune HD and its brethren have been removed from the Zune website, which has been refocused around the Zune music service on Windows Phone, the Xbox 360, and the PC. The move comes just a few days after Redmond rejiggered the Zune Pass pricing scheme to be more competitive with newer music offerings like Spotify and Rdio, so it looks like there's some much-needed housecleaning going on over at Zune HQ -- we'll see if these moves signal a renewed focus on the somewhat-forgotten service. We're following up with Microsoft to confirm the Zune's actual demise; we'll let you know if the squircle has indeed been...