Microsoft calling time on Zune media players?

Microsoft's Zune media players

Microsoft will stop releasing Zune music and video players according to reports, preferring instead to focus on putting the Zune software on WIndows Mobile phones.

Bloomberg reports a 'person familiar with the decision', who says that the move will instead allow Microsoft to focus on other devices.

The latest Zune HD player never made it to the UK, stalling after a US release, but the Zune Video service is on Xbox consoles in the UK.

Zune gives users access to video content – and music in the US – and was billed as a rival to iTunes when it was first announced.

It's this service and similar on-demand Zune-branded offerings for Windows Mobile phones that Microsoft is expected to focus on instead.

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Joe Cox
Content Director

Joe is Content Director for T3 and What Hi-Fi?, having previously been the Global Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-Fi?. He has worked on What Hi-Fi? across the print magazine and website for more than 15 years, writing news, reviews and features on everything from turntables to TVs, headphones to hi-fi separates. He has covered product launch events across the world, from Apple to Technics, Sony and Samsung; reported from CES, the Bristol Show, and Munich High End for many years; and written for sites such as the BBC, Stuff, and the Guardian. In his spare time, he enjoys expanding his vinyl collection and cycling (not at the same time).