Source: Microsoft Zune Phone In the Works

[slaughterbeck]

From our friends at CrunchGear.com

We’ve just received a sound tip that Microsoft is working on its very own phone to be branded under the Zune moniker. Our tipsters inform us that Microsoft execs are in meetings today hammering out details of the device and developing strategies and timescales for its release.

Seeing as that the development has hardly started, little is known yet about the Zune Phone, but there are some details that seem solid thus far.

This is what we know:

It will be a smartphone that works homogeneously with the Zune marketplace. It will most likely not, however, run Windows Mobile. Rather it’ll make use of an interface similar to the current Zune, an interface that I consider among the best available on audio players—I’m sure it can transition to a phone easily.

Connectivity is the major concern of the device. It is said that it will be able to sync with the Xbox 360 and stream video from the system to the phone via a wireless data connection. This would be pivotal in Microsoft’s proliferation of its media ambitions. Not only does it already have millions of 360s in homes capable of downloading movies, it’d be able to distribute those videos directly to its phones. Cool stuff.

The other detail that seems certain at this point is that the device will, if things go as planned, be available for the ‘07 holiday season, which seems like a decent time line. That gives Microsoft about nine months to get everything together, an entirely possible feat.

With the Apple iPhone is set to drop in June, and the Microsoft Zune Phone near December, this year is gearing up to be highly prolific for the cellular industry. What effect do you all think this will have on the scheme of things? Who do you think will deliver a better product (and I don’t want “just because” answers)? Rational thought here, please.

This information is as definite as tips can be.

Best wishes,
Kimmy

 

[briman1970]

If it's significantly less expensive than the iPhone, it could surely fly. I wouldn't consider buying an iPhone because it's ridiculously expensive. I would definitely consider buying a ZunePhone if it's around $300.

Good find Kimmy!

 

[lpxxfaintxx]

Yea, I would never buy a phone that costs $700 with contracts.. *cough* iphone *cough*

 

[slaughterbeck]

Cost is obviously their primary market strategy, at least in the initial stages. Just watch this interview with Steve Ballmer and how he laughs at the price of the iPhone and you can pretty much figure out at the 16 second mark that keeping cost as low as possible is going to be their principal selling point.