Zune HD Shows Microsoft's Unpreparedness for Windows Mobile

Microsoft's Zune reps were on-hand last night at the GDGT event in San Francisco to demonstrate the Zune HD, and after hearing the Zune features and demos, I was left questioning if Microsoft could keep Windows Mobile relevant moving forward after Windows Mobile 6.5.

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Before we enter into a discussion with Windows Mobile, here's a re-cap, and confirmation from Microsoft reps about the Zune HD for those who may be interested in the portable media player (PMP) that will be a competitor to the iPod Touch platform.

1. Zune HD Marketplace: Purchases must be made at the computer and unlike the iPod Touch, users cannot purchase on-device. However, where Microsoft really shines against the Apple competition is that the firm intends on keeping your purchase history to allow you to re-download content across different registered device across multiple platforms. From what I can gather at GDGT, you can download a 1080p movie on the Xbox, move to the PC and download that later (since you had purchased that before) and continue the movie and transfer it to your Zune and so on; on Apple, you must manually transfer your media downloads and cannot re-download content.

2. Applications: As a Windows Mobile user, you're probably wondering whether apps purchased in Marketplace for Mobile will work with Zune, and the answer is no. Microsoft doesn't intend on launching any apps, at least at the time of the Zune's release, relegating it strictly to the media player market rather than making it a portable computing platform. Like previous Zunes that came with a few games, the rep did state that users can see those as well.

3. Form: The Zune HD is a beauty to behold and pictures do not do the device justice. Made with a metal shell and a tempered glass screen, it is not only solid, but equally slim and feels nice in your hands. It is a lot more compact than the iPod Touch, making it easier to carry and slip into the pockets. However, I was left wondering what killer feature the device has that no other device supports. Its capacitive touchscreen with multi-touch is already supported on the Hero, the OLED screen is present also on the Omnia II, and the rich materials used in case design was present in the first generation of iPhones--add to these the lack of apps, the few details that Microsoft was willing to spill at GDGT, and a crashing Xbox delaying the demo made me question the viability of the platform against stronger competitor in an environment where users want more.

4. Function: To credit Microsoft as the device isn't a production unit yet (expect the Zune this Fall before the Holiday shopping season; capacity not yet determined), but when the Zune was playing videos in 720p on the TV, there was noticeable stutter, which happened throughout the 30 second speed. Microsoft definitely needs to optimize the Zune to take advantage of the NVIDIA Tegra chipset.

5. Browsing: Microsoft did not demonstrate the new Internet Explorer browser, nor was the firm willing to comment on Flash support. The rep did mention that the browser is great, and unlike anything we've seen on Windows Mobile. As it seems, the browser was developed separately from Windows Mobile and specifically for the Zune so we probably won't see the new Internet Explorer browser ported to Windows Mobile anytime soon, though that may happen down the road.

With an enhanced browser capable of multi-touch already nearly finished for the Zune and already being touted as an awesome experience (at least internally), I have to question Microsoft's use of resources when it comes to Windows Mobile 7 developments and whether the firm can keep the Windows Phone platform relevant to casual consumers in light of newer competition. Windows Mobile, Zune, and the Xbox are housed in one division at Microsoft under the same boss should help remove the barriers and facilitate the sharing and exchange of information, but this isn't the case as the Zune team warns us not to expect any of the features showing up on Windows Mobile, at least in the short term.

With the Zune HD packaged into a nicer body, but bringing nothing innovative or new to the table (other than the evolution to HD video out with the use of a bulky dock), I am left to wondering if Windows Mobile is left to the same fate. Palm's webOS introduced a new paradigm for connecting people, Apple's iPhone brought brand cachet and was the first multi-touch design, and BlackBerry has their ease of use.

Unless Microsoft does something radical with Windows Mobile 7, it is still only playing catch-up to other platforms and leaving the innovation to its device-makers with UI overlays like TouchFLO 3D, Touch Wiz, or S-Class among others. For the casual or new smartphone user, the extensibility of Windows Mobile with the support of XDA-Developers may not be as important as having a stable platform with a robust selection of apps, innovative features, and the killer feature that captures the passion of the Microsoft brand. Microsoft is stuck in Toyota's position a decade ago; Toyota evoked terms like reliability and good car in people's minds but failed to capture their hearts and likewise Windows Mobile is at that stage. Sure, renaming Windows Mobile to Windows Phone may be a branding effort, but I expect to see something that captures my heart, and unfortunately, the disconcerted efforts of the Zune and Windows Mobile teams have left my eyes wandering to other smartphone platforms...for now...until we hear more about Windows Mobile 7.

(Picture below: Zune HD in dock; Microsoft reps would not allow photography with the interface)