iPod Phone, Zune Phone - What’s the Difference? - 615 Views,

Summary: Judging by the searches we get for iPod Phone and Zune Phone (and even "I Phone"), it's clear that what people really want more than anything is a truly convergent device - one device that does it all. It's an iPod, it's a phone, it's a video player, it's a radio, it's an email device - it's Wonder Phone! While the iPhone (I Phone) is essentially an iPod Phone, people are still wanting something more - will the much-awaited Zune Phone (and rumoured Zune store) really statisfy their cravings? Read on...

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Judging by the searches we get for iPod Phone and Zune Phone (and even “I Phone”), it’s clear that what people really want more than anything is a truly convergent device - one device that does it all. It’s an iPod, it’s a phone, it’s a video player, it’s a radio, it’s an email device - it’s Wonder Phone! While the iPhone (I Phone) is essentially an iPod Phone, people are still wanting something more - will the much-awaited Zune Phone (and rumoured Zune store) really statisfy their cravings? Read on…

We first covered the “upcoming” release of the Zune Phone a bit over a year ago (yes, the irony is not lost on us), however this time people are really really sure that the Zune Phone might be coming soon - maybe.

According to Katherine Egbert, an analyst with Jefferies & Company, Microsoft “will be debuting its own phone sometime in the next two months.” Egbert added that they “expect the new phone to debut soon, at either the Feb 15-18 Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona Spain, or possibly at CTIA in Las Vegas one month later.”

Now, this is, of course, not the first time that an analyst has said that a Microsoft phone will be out shortly. The last time was in December of 2008, when Eric Savetz, of Barrons, quoted Trip Chowdry, an another analyst, with Global Equities Research, in saying that Microsoft “will unveil a new device combining the features of the company’s Zune music player and its Danger Sidekick handhelds,” … at CES 2009

So now, a year later, the same rumours are flying again.

But Ebgert has details which were lacking last year, lending credibility to the rumours. For instance, according to Egbert the “Zune-like phone” will have a camera with at least 5 megapixel capabilities, will have 720p HD video, will run Windows Mobile 7, and will include a Zune video store, and a music subscription service. Egbert even hinted that it “could include social networking apps like Xbox Live, Facebook and Twitter.”

If all this is true, this could make a Zune phone that much closer to the convergent devices of everybody’s dreams. The Zune is an MP3 player, has a radio (HD radio, even) and has that 720p HD video capability. Coupled with Windows Mobile 7 (hey, what happened to the Danger Hiptop OS they bought?) that brings in browsing and email, and Egbert herself suggests that it will include social networking like Facebook and Twitter.

This does sound quite close to a truly convergent device.

But, will it tether?

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For additional similar stories check out our archives on Apple & Mac, Cell Phones, Microsoft

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