Microsoft portable dubbed "Zune," won't game?

  • By TimSpot, GameSpot
  • Posted Jul 12, 2006 7:31 pm PT

Source: Tech blogs Engadget and Gizmondo citing a source is a source of course, of course .The official story: See below. What we heard: The work week got off to a sizzling start on Monday when a report from the Seattle Times stated that Microsoft's rumored portable, sometimes referred to as the...

Source: Tech blogs Engadget and Gizmondo citing a source is a source of course, of course .

The official story: See below.

What we heard: The work week got off to a sizzling start on Monday when a report from the Seattle Times stated that Microsoft's rumored portable, sometimes referred to as the xPod or Xboy because of its music and gaming potential, was in fact a line of portables. Citing a source, the author of the article said that the "Argo" would feature Wi-Fi capability and compete in the same market with the DS and PlayStation Portable.

Microsoft obviously would not cop to the news and declined to comment entirely.

But that wasn't all that sprang forth from the wealth of knowledge from sources. Engadget talked to its spies and found out that Argo was the name of the project, which is under the watchful eye of none other than J Allard, the former face of the Xbox. The sources also revealed that the gadget would be dubbed "Zune."

However, even though Allard is overseeing the project, the Zune looks like it will be mostly music-centric--for now, at least. The Wi-Fi capability is in place primarily for wireless song transfers, not multiplayer gaming. Gizmondo states that there will be some gaming however, just not anything like an on-the-go Xbox.

Of course even the iPod, which is rumored to be the target of Zune, has some minigames, such as a Breakout rip-off. The likely power of the Zune games? Think something like Palm-OS-based diversions, or even simple Xbox Live Arcade games.

Of course the Zune could also just be the first step toward something bigger. People are already speculating about Xbox 360 integration with the device, beginning with streaming audio, like the iPod currently does. But add a few buttons, a thumbstick, and a little more horsepower, and the Zune could soon be singing gamers' tunes.

Bogus or not bogus?: Not bogus that Microsoft's handheld is named Zune, and not bogus that it won't seriously game in its first incarnation.

131 Comments

  • yousillywizard

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 7:49 pm PT

    Im the first person to comment in 3 years
    ZUNE RULES

  • kwildgun

    Posted Dec 10, 2006 10:48 pm PT

    I own a Zune and a give it a 9 out of 10. It runs W.M.V. witch is a better format than the MPEG4 that the video function on the ipod Runs. It has an FM radio tuner, "HELL YEH" !!! The screen is way bigger. It doesn't have those stupid sync problems my friend has with his Ipod. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it Apple! Gonna find a way to bash the zune like you do PCs ? You know Apple I wouldn't call a Mac flexible. So here is my Apple bash, " SCEW YOU AND YOUR STUPID MACS, IPODS, AND YOUR SORRY EXCUSE OF AN OPERATING SYSTEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! P.S. That you Microsoft, and to think I almost bought an Ipod.

  • x505

    Posted Jul 17, 2006 9:34 pm PT

    ...Zune...Zuma...I hate both names...

  • ZeroWil

    Posted Jul 17, 2006 1:19 pm PT

    Zune? Hmmm......Sounds somewhat familiar.....
    I've seen weird names. But Zune.......Interesting......

  • TorugotoShinsan

    Posted Jul 15, 2006 2:25 pm PT

    Meh I have an Ipod and both handhelds so M$ jumping on the bandwagon really doesn't interest me

  • akif22

    Posted Jul 14, 2006 1:18 pm PT

    i doubt i'll need this .. their timing for its release is a bit weird IMO

  • Lazlow1988

    Posted Jul 14, 2006 8:41 am PT

    Will it party hard and crash even harder?

  • phSychO_AtDawn

    Posted Jul 14, 2006 4:43 am PT

    This si going to be great for "Live anywhere" ,you know the thing MS was talking about at their Conference at E3.

  • yevinorion

    Posted Jul 14, 2006 3:31 am PT

    I think what everyone is forgetting, is that Apple is probably working on a new version of the iPod right now which may very well have all the capabilities of this new "Zune". They just prefer to keep things secret.

  • Ne0zEEd

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 9:52 pm PT

    I personally love gadgets..can't wait to see wut it do

  • UltraWoody

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 9:21 pm PT

    Not good...

    Although I have a great amount of faith in the 360, coming up with a portable device that does what iPod does is a total waste of time. Unless they come out with a product that does everything iPod does and more, there's no point for anyone to take it seriously.

    What they should do is hold of until they come up with a device that will have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, powerful gaming capabilities, downloadable movies and music. Otherwise there is NO point in it coming out at all.

    Support XBox 360! It's powerful and cheap!

    Down with PS3 - overpriced junk!

  • Vash67

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 7:57 pm PT

    expected....

  • decebal

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 4:57 pm PT

    Ponsardin
    "I sure would laugh out loud if this Zune thing will use Palm OS. Because, you know that Microsoft competes Palm OS with the Pocket PC operating system, very known for its multimedia capabilities."

    Microsoft had an attempt to take down IPod (and maybe psp), with it's Portable Media Center. And that went bad. (Well it was something like $699... so I dunno what logic they used to conclude that people would acctually pay double the price just cause it's backed up by MS).

    Similarly MS attacked Palm OS with their Windows CE. And that wend bad as well. (Here again the main reason was the price. But the support behind CE was weak too.l) Right now Windows CE is dead. MS washed it's hands of it.

    Now MS was clearly interested in making profit of these portables. And that's why they droped them when they saw their returns don't live up to the expectations. Unlike 360 where MS is commited of winning the living room no matter what the cost (so far 7 Billion Loss did not make them stop), these other side business are all "come and go." More like testing the market for an opportunity for extra cash.

    So I expect this device to go along the same lines. They'll try... and unless they're really successful, this will be something that everybody will forget by Christmas 2007.

  • Maquis_UK

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 4:56 pm PT

    i think we can all agree this sounds like more M$ rubbish that nobody will buy. the only person i know with a 360 console is trading it in before prices drop too low.

  • winnazdaluza

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 1:04 pm PT

    A couple of people have said that they have ipods and won't consider buying this.But I beg to differ and concur with those who would assume as I , that Microsoft has something special and unique up their sleeves.

    I also doubt that nintendo nor sony has exhausted and satisfied the very lucrative handheld gamming markets .My wager is that it will be a much better PSP.
    People must know that gamming is indeed an iportant part of any portable entertainment device nowadays.Even ipods have games, so what if microsoft takes it to the next level....and only as an extra feature to an already impressive package???

  • crazy_boy166

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 12:31 pm PT

    Sounds good to me!

  • Ponsardin

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 10:44 am PT

    I sure would laugh out loud if this Zune thing will use Palm OS. Because, you know that Microsoft competes Palm OS with the Pocket PC operating system, very known for its multimedia capabilities.

  • playwrite

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 10:44 am PT

    and people make fun of the name wii...

  • mrzero1982pt2

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 10:35 am PT

    seems cool looking, and the screen is HUGE like the psp so it will be easier and more comfortable to look at shows or downloaded movies on it.....i say apple needs to be scared now

  • Legendaryscmt

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 10:18 am PT

    I have an MP3 player, I call it my PSP. I already have my gaming handhelds, I call them my PSP, SP, and soon DS. So why the hell would I spend more money on something that I can already do with my other handhelds?

  • EqualPlatinum

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 10:14 am PT

    omfg an mp3 player! Whoa, awasome idea microsoft. I really hope we're not getting the full picture here.

  • dazman92

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 9:51 am PT

    hm...not that much of an XBOX fan, but I'm interested. I have a DS already, though

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 9:44 am PT

    zune....

  • skitzocyko

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 9:27 am PT

    yeah MS!!

  • lovea218

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 9:24 am PT

    dumb...get a psp and do everything!

  • R3last

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 9:16 am PT

    yes M$ is going to release a music player that will frequently crash and take 10 minutes to start up when you turn it on.

  • nappan

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 9:14 am PT

    Competition is good for consumers. Beyond that, who cares.

  • Fallout_red

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 9:13 am PT

    They sure use cool names as codes.

  • Darthmatt

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 9:08 am PT

    Zune... or is it an anaghram for zenu which sounds like xenu? scientologist BS

  • frankeyser

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 9:06 am PT

    i am happy with my ipod, ds, psp, palm piliot, HD widescreen laptop and my digi cam... i dont need any more gadgets on the go... i already lug around a heavy enough bag.

  • i_love_my_ds

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 9:02 am PT

    Zune?? and I thought wii was dumb......

  • MrPuzzlez

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 9:00 am PT

    I have a GBA Movie & MP3 Player that only costs 25 bucks from lik-sang.com. Gets the job done, and is a HECK OF A LOT more economical. Might be a little pixilated, but a little video (and porn) is better than no video at all.

  • metdevthegamer

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 8:59 am PT

    Zune? That's an odd name. I actually saw an article about this name a few days ago, and back then it sounded odd too. Oh well, if there's a Wii, there's a way.

  • Bio_Spark

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 8:50 am PT

    Weird names are the wave of the future! Join in, and be rich.

  • Devilwillcry

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 8:47 am PT

    Sony's PSP does me well for everything in that area, and they will do it better than MS ever will. Two generations on the top of the gaming industry and its only a matter of time before they take the third and the portable industry. MS can rot.

  • SuCuBuS_04

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 8:38 am PT

    zune, sounds like sum1 from microsoft was whatchin Dune the nite b4 and cldnt thing of anythin better, i doubt i will buy 1, alrdy own an ipod, gd old apple lol

  • keyser27

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 8:34 am PT

    And I thought the name "Wii" was stupid. May as well call it the DorkBoy or the GayWadPod. No thanks, I like my iPod without the blue screens of death and constant software updates, thanks.

  • Theryman90

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 8:22 am PT

    I've already got myself an MP3 player, so I probably won't be getting this. It makes sense for Microsoft to make an MP3 player, but I hope there is a gaming handhled in the pipes, too.

  • neoand12

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 8:09 am PT

    zune??????



    like I said before iPod owns

  • PatchMaster

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 7:42 am PT

    Ha, good luck with that.

  • firefruze

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 7:11 am PT

    so its going to be a MP3 player...... that doesnt play games . So how is this going to kill the Ipod??

  • GSop

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 7:07 am PT

    Well - MS is going to step into Sony's shoes on this one and find out what it's like to release a product when the competition has a big head start.

    Hopefully this thing won't cost $600, though...

  • the_godfather_1

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 6:59 am PT

    I wont be buying it if it's only for music and not for gaming i'd rather stick with the Ipod for music

  • Poltergeist13

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 6:58 am PT

    I have an ipod, eh, please someone release something better. ipod isn't all it's cracked up to be. itunes is the worst download service out. come on microsoft give me a reason to sell my ipod.

  • Leick3

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 6:57 am PT

    I've got a DS and an ipod, who needs microsoft trying to steal the market? and if it does have amazing gaming and great mp3 can you imagine how much it would cost? Apple rules mp3s!

  • faizali86

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 6:26 am PT

    i hope it doesnt turn out to be a failure like the ngage.

  • mr_squibble

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 6:20 am PT

    Word on the street is that Apple is already working on a new iPOD that could possibly download music through Wifi. Wait until this Christmas. Apple tends to update their iPODs every year, and when they do so this year, it will be a tough sell for M$.

  • Vexx88

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 6:14 am PT

    If this thing does game i dont see the point of having it mainly for games cuz at this point the PSP is suffering and theDS is getting all thhe money for gaming and the PSP profit seems to be coming from movies and music so i dont see where this "zune" will be even given a chance agianst are already supurb portabls that are already out

  • decebal

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 5:57 am PT

    Microsoft's only reason to enter the gaming industry was the threat of being replaced in the living room by Sony. As in they both want to be a portal for digital media that sits right beside your TV. They don't even care that much about gaming (esspecially MS).

    So it's a no brainer that MS doesn't make a gaming device. They want an IPOD killer (and they tried numerous times), a Palm killer (and they tried numerous times) and a combination of the 2.

    So basically you can deduct that Zune will have Movie + MP3 playability + Phone + Live everywhere (the next MSN Messenger).

    I never cared and never will. A portable gaming device is needed only when you don't have a car. And if that's the case the best one is the most portable one (duh)... as in Game Boy Micro. That's enough to keep someone remotly busy here and there...

  • wellingtonfo

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 5:52 am PT

    I already have an ipod, I don't have plans on changing it... But its broke someday, I will think about this other one.

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