More Zune Phone Rumors Surfacing
I’ve been reading more rumors on the possible appearance of a Zune Phone in the near future. This web site claims that someone from CNBC mentioned such a Zune phone appearing next year. Is this true… who knows. It wouldn’t surprise me, since Microsoft always seems to be chasing the brass ring where ever it may appear. Since Google and Apple are playing in this arena, why not big-ole Microsoft? 
Google phone gaining popularity?
I’m seeing more and more TV ads for the new Google phone (G1), so it seems T-Mobile is really pushing it for the upcoming holidays. I’ve been researching the G1 phone by reading forum postings, online reviews, etc. and it seems like a very promising phone for the masses. I’m all for being an “early adopter” for high-tech gadgets, however, I’m just not ready for getting the G1 phone. From what I’ve been reading, there’s lots of issues with the G1 phone (running the Google Android OS) that are deal breakers for me. For example:
- Inability to work with Microsoft Exchange Servers for syncing emails, contacts, and appointments
- Unreliable system notifications for incoming POP/IMAP emails and text messages
- Unreliable scheduled downloading of POP/IMAP emails
- Hardware issues (creaky screen, crooked screen, flush keys on the keyboard)
- No virtual screen keyboard
- Only available on the T-Mobile network
I’m itching to get the G1 phone so I can develop and sell applications on the Google App Market, but I’m not willing to do so just yet until several of these issues are fixed. To write good apps for this phone means I’ll need to get one and use it as my primary cell phone. That way, I’ll understand first hand what users need for useful applications.
One thing to note: Microsoft seems to be chasing companies that have good products such as the Zune chasing the iPod (Zune Marketplace and the iPod iStore), Windows Live Search chasing Google search and maps, etc. It wouldn’t surprise me if all the rumors regarding the Zune phone come true, since Microsoft could be chasing the success of the iPhone AND Google Android phones.
