We heard that Microsoft is preparing for a mass layoff of its employees/contractors in January.
Well, I guess they are doing a rehearsal today by “firing” their Zune users.
Zune is the Microsoft answer to Apple’s iPod and today many of its users reported en-masse failures of this music player (specifically, the 30 Gb version of it). The player began freezing at the loading point and become unresponsive (and thus useless).
Customers with 30gb Zune devices may experience issues when booting their Zune hardware. We’re aware of the problem and are working to correct it. The Zune Social might be slow or inaccessible. Sorry for the inconvenience, and thanks for your patience!
Which, basically, means they don’t have a clue yet of what causes these “blue screen of death – Zune version”.
Some people came up with an un-official fix though (try it at your own risk!).
Many users are disgruntled by this failure and plan on being done with the device. Zune wasn’t anyway a real contestant for iPod with all Microsoft’s efforts.
But look at the bright side of the story: those people can go to a New Year party to listen music (and dance). Which is what I’m just doing tonight ;)! (even if I am an iPod user)
Several high profile websites are talking about rumors about a possible Microsoft Phone. Nothing is sure right now and certainly nothing is being confirmed by Microsoft. The prospect of Microsoft entering this already exciting market with Palm, Apple, Research in Motion and Google fighting it out sounds great to me.
For all the dirt, assumptions, dreams and guesses follow these links:
For a really entertaining look back in time check out this video of Ballmer talking about the then upcoming iPhone. Look at his face when he talks about how he ‘likes’ their strategy and then remember that their strategy currently pulls in about $300 million a year versus the iPhone’s $5 billion. I’m sure that IF Microsoft comes out with their ‘iPhone killer’ it will be a ‘very capable machine’…
This must be the most memorable, impressive and cool Microsoft Zune Ad EVER! Unfortunately it isn’t by Microsoft and no, you won’t EVER see it on TV. You will also, most likely, never forget it, ever.
Now sit back and relax, get a bucket and some tissues within reach, and click play: