Question by Brock: Will Microsoft be releasing any new apps for the Zune HD after releasing the Facebook and twitter apps?
Best answer:
Answer by Eric
I heard someone say that they’re going to release an app store in spring but it is unconfirmed. Surely to keep up with apple’s ipod they will have to release some apps soon.
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With the recent announcement of Windows Phone 7, MS will be spending most of their time and encouraging developers to release apps for Windows Phone – not Zune HD. I’m sure there will be a few games or small apps for the Zune, but unless they give the Zune HD a firmware upgrade (possibly even upgrading the Zune HD to Windows Phone 7 OS except no phone options) to be able to use apps created for the upcoming Windows Phone 7 then I wouldn’t expect many forthcoming apps. I’m hopefully though, that Microsoft will upgrade the Zune HD firmware to be able to run all of the apps as the Windows Phones just as the ipod touch does with iphone apps. Or there could be a Zune HD2, but I think that is less likely.
No. I seriously doubt it. Facebook was just released and right now, Microsoft is very busy with windows phone 7 series. The plan right now with zune HD is to integrate it with winpho7. For example, the marketplace on the zune software will be the shared by winpho7 and zune HD so the games for zune hd like audiosurf tilt will be compatible with winpho7.
Microsoft is integrating all their services including xbox live, zune, and windows mobile, which means zune HD and winpho7 will work similar to iphone and ipod touch.
I am still skeptical as to whether the Zune HD we have now will work though. Maybe there will be a Zune HD 2nd Gen coming out around the same time as the launch of winpho7.
Well, Microsoft is busy developing for the Windows 7 phone (which is pretty much a Zune HD with phone capabilities. It looks pretty cool). It is also encouraging developers to develop for the Windows 7 phone.
I am imagining the apps for the Windows 7 phone(s) will be cross-compatible with the Zune HD since they both run an EXTREMELY similar OS and have the same hardware for the most part. I do not see Microsoft abandoning the Zune HD, especially when the most recent Zune software update has lines of code for Zune-compatible phones. We’ll just have to see what happens, I would not panic anytime soon. I am pretty sure the Zune HD is going to be iPod Touch equivalent while the Windows 7 phone will be the iPhone.