Windows Phone apps vs. Zune HD apps

[moviejunkie18]

so, from glancing around the zune marketplace, it seems like apps listed under zune hd only work with that device, but the ones listed under windows phone might work with the zHD? i can't tell for sure. does anyone know?

[Randallflagg]

so, from glancing around the zune marketplace, it seems like apps listed under zune hd only work with that device, but the ones listed under windows phone might work with the zHD? i can't tell for sure. does anyone know?

I think you can pretty much rule out the idea of WP7 apps working on the Zune. The ZuneHD is pretty much dead... you might see a few apps, but no one will really be developing for the Zune as it seems Microsoft has given up on it. The future of Zune lies in WP7.

[moviejunkie18]

that's disappointing. oh, well.

 i don't know that it's dead. yeah, the apps probably aren't going anywhere, but was that ever the point of the zune HD?

[WillysJeepMan]

that's disappointing. oh, well.

 i don't know that it's dead. yeah, the apps probably aren't going anywhere, but was that ever the point of the zune HD?

The Zune HD is most definitely dead(*).  Only the most fervent Zune fans would claim that apps weren't the point of the Zune HD.  Microsoft expended a lot of resources and development to have apps on their portable media player.

From the choice of the Tegra chip, updates to the interface, desktop software, and Zune Marketplace, apps were to be an integral part of the Zune HD experience.

For those who will claim that the HD was some sort of test-bed for WinPho7 keep in mind that at the time of the HD's development, the HD and WinPho teams were separate.  And that WinPho7 specs had changed numerous times after the HD was released....including finalizing the decision that 7 would be incompatible with 6.x.

If my experiences at IBM and with Microsoft are any indication, what most likely happened was that at an executive level, the decision was made to kill the Zune some time after the release of the Zune 120.  But work on the HD was already in progress and commitments and contracts in place so the "momentum" of the HD project continued forward for it to be released.  But it was clear that the release of the HD was anti-climatic and almost a non-event in terms of accessories and other 3rd party support.

It's sad and frustrating.  The Zune HD (and older gens) had the potential to be a great player, but Microsoft was never serious about producing a great player... only in drawing people to the Marketplace.

* Dead - no longer being actively supported and enhanced.

[DaveWorld]

And the decision to kill the Zune (and ZuneHD) and focus mainly on WP7 will be another one of their long list of shortsighted decisions, imo. If WP7 fails to gain any sort of momentum after the initial hype phase and it truly tanks hard, it will take what's left of the Zune down with it. Zune's future as a service is reliant on WP7 smart phones succeeding in the market, as predicted. If it doesn't and they continue to let the Zune HD die-out slowly in the market (retail have been dropping Zune HDs from their shelves), then chalk this up as another bone-headed decision by MS (Ballmer).

Meanwhile Apple is selling just as much iPod Touch as they're selling iPhones.

[moviejunkie18]

bummer. but it won't stop me from buying one when i have the money. at least now they cost less!
 
i wish ms would wise up and realize when they have something good. i just wanna shake 'em around and say "what's wrong with you, fool?". lol.

[Minchkin]

I am wondering why there isn't Audiosurf on it yet...

[moviejunkie18]

I am wondering why there isn't Audiosurf on it yet...

you mean on the HD? there is.

[Minchkin]

No, on WP7