Microsoft has had a rocky road leading up to the launch of Windows Phone 7 last year. The original Windows Mobile that we loved proved to be irrelevant in the post iOS / Android era that saw an entire new way of using touchscreen laden smartphones. While keeping up the fight on the smartphone side, Microsoft also took a shot of Apple’s popular iPod business with Zune. Microsoft’s PMP player, Zune didn’t quite set sales records, but it did gain popularity, with the Zune HD, Microsoft had us looking at a beautiful hardware that gave some clues of what WP7 would be.
Fast forward to 2011, we have an important update to Windows Phone 7 called ‘Mango’ and Microsoft has decided to spit out the Apple it was trying to chew with Zune. Hardly a surprise but its official now, Microsoft isn’t making any new Zune hardware and Redmond is prompt to redirect you to Windows Phone 7 for your music and video needs. Winrumors confirms that Microsoft is working to port Zune HD apps to Windows Phone.
In many ways, this is a logical and right move. The content consumption is moving from dedicated handhelds to smartphones. Apple has seen a growth in iPhone sales and decline in iPod sales, the future belongs to one handheld for media and phone. While Apple would most likely continue to make and sell iPods (including iPod touch), Microsoft has made it clear that it is focusing on Windows Phone 7. Perhaps the right move, but we know that there is a niche audience that wants dedicated PMP player. Looking forward to 2012 the mass market is all Android vs iOS vs Windows Phone.
PS: for the ones wondering what 301 is, it is an Internet code (https status code) for redirection that reads ‘moved permanently’
