Ballmer: Zune to show up on Windows Mobile, Android/Apple bashing

Mobile phones, MP3 players
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zune-treo.jpgSteve Ballmer’s been talking to a number of sites about the challenge faced by Android, as well as future Zune plans. They sound quite intriguing, and he doesn’t miss the chance to bash Google. Over to Steve:

“We built the Zune hardware with the Zune software – and what you’ll see more and more over time is that the Zune software will also be ported to and be more important not just with the hardware but on the PC, on Windows Mobile devices, etc.”

“(Apple) may have a cult following in the music business, (but) we got about 97 percent of PC users using our stuff. 97 percent may not constitute a cult! But I wouldn’t trade that for a cult!”

“You’ve got to remember Android is version one….and it looks like version one. They’ve got one handset maker, we’ve got 55. They’re available through one operator, we’ve got 175.”

I’ve got mixed feelings about Zune on Windows Mobile. I like the Zune just being the Zune. I don’t want a Zune app on my phone. What I would like is the software to be opened up, so anyone can build an app that’ll sync songs to the Zune. The Zune software is slightly on the annoyingly-buggy side, and I’d much rather use something like Songbird.

BBC and CIO interviews (via about-electronics)

Related posts: Windows to enter the Cloud next month, claims Ballmer | Steve Ballmer to retire in 10 years from Microsoft?

Duncan Geere
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