Zune and Xbox, sitting in a tree?

Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:48AM EST

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Every time I meet with reps from Microsoft's Zune or Xbox divisions, I ask the same question: How come you can't access the Zune Marketplace on the Xbox 360? Or transfer Xbox Live movie rentals to your Zune?

And each time, I get the same answer: A pained smile, a nod of the head, "Yeah, we know ..."

OK, so why the holdup? How hard is it to put the Zune Marketplace onto Xbox Live—or move Live movie rentals and TV shows to a Zune, for that matter? Well, usually it's not the technology that's the hard part—rather, it's renegotiating the content deals with the movie studios and the record labels.

So, does Microsoft have all that sorted out? Unknown, but we've been getting some encouraging clues in the past day or so.

Analyst Matt Rosoff (blogging for CNET News.com) found this job listing on the Microsoft careers Web site for a "User Experience Designer" (UI experts, take note), which calls for a "visual designer … to propose innovative designs and content solutions for the Zune Device UI, Zune Xbox, and Zune PC application."

Of course, it's that "Zune Xbox" part that got the attention of Rosoff, who notes that both Xbox Live and the Zune Marketplace "use Microsoft's own pseudo-currency, Microsoft Points." (Yeah, Microsoft Points are a bit annoying, but they make sense for parents with Live- and Zune-savvy kids.)

And then there's this, from TechFlash: More job postings, this time focusing on "a wide range of Zune clients or 'Tuners' … today these tuners include the Windows PC client, the Zune web site and the Zune device; in the future there will be more." Hmm ... those "tuners" could well include the Xbox 360—or it could also mean a Zune app for Windows Mobile, an idea that's been getting buzz lately.

So clearly, something's afoot. Hard to tell what exactly, or when, but the days of Xbox Live and the Zune sitting in their own little walled gardens may be (thankfully) coming to and end.

Heads up, Zune Guy!

Related:
Job posting reveals Zune-Xbox integration [CNET News.com]

Comments on Zune and Xbox, sitting in a tree?

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  • 1 Posted by mattsk4000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    Yes it does look very nice but it is still about 2 years behind the iPod. Just look at the iPod Touch for proof.

  • 2 Posted by sterling2346 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    Micrsoft Zune really has improved alot. On my website you can search this on my mobile search get info and promotions. It is very nice MP3 player.

  • 3 Posted by tandason93 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    It doesn't really matter how much Microsoft's Zune Player improves, they are too far behind Apple, and of course, their iPod. Apple is already moving into the touch, with the iPod Touch, or "iTouch", and with the Accelerometer now in the Ipod Nano as well, they have really stepped up their game. Apple has always had a lead on Microsoft, look at Vista, it looks just like the basis of Mac OS10, which is 10 years old now. Overall, it doesnt really matter if Zune and Xbox combine, they will still be behind Apple.

  • 4 Posted by luisakafivedeus on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:00PM EDT Report Abuse

    ....And let the Apple fanboys and girls begin brown nosing Apple. But seriously, hasnt anyone noticed that no matter which music player or computer you use, you're still giving your money to giant corporations?

  • 5 Posted by jedimaster_gary on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    and because the apple fans are blowing their wad its my turn. If apple was so ahead of its time how come they just switched over to running Intel. how come now viruses are coming to Mac. maybe the tunnel vision apple has used for years is coming to a close. now that your beloved apple took the rose colored glasses off I think the apple fans should too. and to say that vista looks like os 10 to me it looks alot like a new skin for the same old design MS started using for 95/98 which just turned fourteen. If you'd like to say apple is the original home pc I could agree but to tell me its better, tell that to my friends who in the last year got rid of all three of their macs and got a vista laptop and a vista PC

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