The Zune that never was, developed by members of the former Microsoft Courier team

[Guest BSchwarz]

Here’s a nice find by patent sleuth Manan Kakkar. A group of Softies filed a patent application in 2009 for a media player that Microsoft never ended up launching.

 

The device was going to be similar in form to Apple’s iPod Nano, according to the images Kakkar found.

 

While I can’t say for sure that the mini Zune device mentioned in the patent application will never launch, I’d say it’s highly unlikely. Microsoft officials have provided inconclusive statements as to whether the company will launch any more Zune devices (beyond Windows Phones running Zune services). Shortly after launching the Zune HD in 2009, Microsoft execs said there would be at least one more Zune hardware device coming to market.

 

Since then, Microsoft has been emphasizing that Zune’s future is as a music/video service, while refusing to comment about rumored plans for a Zune that would be more of an iPod Touch competitor.

 

 

Source: All About Microsoft