First came the Zune to rein in the growing iPod generation, and now Microsoft is all set to introduce something similar to Apple’s iPhone -- and the company does not find the idea “unreasonable”. The Copycat seems to be doing what it does best to sustain the company’s influence -- “follow the originator”. Like iPhone, the Zune phone will have features of Zune digital music player.
Zune phone, according to an article published in Reuters, “could be driven by consumer demand for one multimedia device to make phone calls, play music and take pictures.” But, why didn’t they introduce the same along with the much-hyped Zune launch -- I do not think the demand was generated, only after Apple launched its iPhone. That would have been an ace move, befitting the stature of Microsoft (though I am not sure if it has any stature). But, Microsoft likes to copy and we cannot deny it that right.
Earlier in the year, Chief Executive Steve Ballmer said at a CEO forum that the “Zune phone is not a concept that Microsoft would ever pursue.” According to Ballmer, there were plans to add music or gaming functionality to its Windows Mobile platform. I do not know much about this platform, but for elementary information, the article says, “Windows Mobile is one of Microsoft's fastest growing businesses with license sales expected to nearly double this fiscal year to more than 20 million copies.”
The year is still not over, and one gets to read two contradictory statements. Whatever happens, competition is good for us the consumers. However, Microsoft needs to pull up its socks and hire some skillful engineers -- who can create something innovative for it. Otherwise, soon it will be replicating its online saga -- where Google has beaten it pulp -- offline.
Before we end, keep reading this space to know whether Microsoft buys BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion Ltd.