Zune fans (all 12 of you), I have some bad news. There will be no new Zune announcement in June, apparently that was just a mix up on Microsoft’s part linking to the wrong Twitter account. More importantly, it also means there will be no ZunePhone announcement of any kind. But there are still potentially some new details on that front today thanks to ZDNet’s Mary-Jo Foley.
Foley claims that a “trustworthy source” has given her the hardware specs for Windows Mobile 7 Chassis 1, believed the project Microsoft is calling “Pink.” While it may not be exactly a “ZunePhone” per se, Pink is thought to be a project to build a more iPhone-like mobile device that uses the Zune software mixed with Windows Mobile — though it would likely be built by a third party. Like Google with Android, it’s thought that Microsoft would create an outline of specs it would like to see from hardware vendors, and that’s what this list Foley has is. And it’s very interesting for a few reasons. None bigger than the word, “multi-touch.”
The specs include an ARM processor, at least 256MB of RAM, at least a 800×480 3.5″ display, a 3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, WiFi and Micro USB and 3.5mm audio jacks. All of those sound great — the screen in particular sounds nice. But the real key is this line in the core requirements: “Touch: Multi-touch required.”
So that’s not just multi-touch as an option, that’s multi-touch being a central point of the project. Up until now, Apple’s iPhone has been the only mobile device with multi-touch support. But very shortly Palm is set to launch it in the Pre. For those who haven’t been paying attention, this has caused a lot of drama on the web as Apple’s COO Tim Cook made comments many viewed as hostile towards Palm when discussing the fact that Apple would protect its IP — it has several patents on multi-touch for mobile devices.
But Apple doesn’t own all multi-touch patents, and Microsoft of course, already has a multi-touch piece of hardware with its Surface computer. Multi-touch support is also baked into Windows 7, and would appear to be a key part of Microsoft’s strategy going forward. But how that will play out in the mobile realm remains to be seen. Aside from the thinly veiled threats towards Palm, Apple supposedly talked with Google about not including multi-touch support in Android, before the first of those phones launched last year.
Palm coming into the multi-touch world is one thing, but Microsoft entering the realm in the mobile world is something else entirely. I can’t wait for the next Apple earnings call to hear Cook address this one! That is of course, if these specs are legit.
the battle of the patent wars!
There is nothing new under the sun. Ideas should NOT be patent worthy. If we had this mess when the Internet began Yahh would have patented search and they could have controlled the most important technology in over 100 years. IP patents have cost us more than we’ll ever know.
Apple owns only few gestures like pinch. Not multiple-touch as a whole, while actually it owns logo “multi-touch”.
Others can use double-click with finger for zoom, instead of pinch.
I agree at least with this multi-touch issue. It makes no sense that someone could patent such a thing. It’s akin to Fonzy patenting the thumbs-up. Completely ridiculous.
Had Tim Berners-Lee patented the internet he just might be the richest person alive right now.
You should study up on your internet history and vocabulary before you go using names like Berners-Lee’s.
I’m sure that Microsoft is more than prepared for an IP battle with Apple, if Apple wants to start one. I don’t think that they will. I’m sure that Microsoft’s patent portfolio is as deep as Apple’s, and Microsoft obviously has the means to defend themselves.
I just hope that Apple doesn’t try taking on Palm. With the cashflow problems that Palm has, a lengthy lawsuit over IP could probably kill them. It doesn’t matter if the claim is bogus or not. Also, since Apple would never settle (they’d rather see Palm dead), Palm would be really screwed.
Look what happened to RIM a few years ago. NTP nearly took them under. If the DoD hadn’t stepped in (which was totally ridiculous, by the way), they would have been shut down, at least temporarily.
Palm is a pioneer of touch technology and its high-time they got up to the times.
Jason
Chicago IL
that is mainly because PALM was started by ex-newton employees.
The whole concept of patents is utter crap. patents make people believe that there is such a thing like “intelectual property” which is a misconception in itself. patents prevent real (and quick) innovation!
Not at all. Patents fully protect a company’s ability to create, sell and distribute its products without the worries of corporate espionage. You do realize how much stealing of IP rights goes on, right?
But intelectual property is just that, it’s an idea. Everythig is just an idea at conception, and then they grow into massive companies. Companies have legal teams, and legal teams fear monger people with TMs and Patent laws that work to their advantage.
Having a patent doesn’t stop any innovation, it’s your legal stance on competition that stops innovation, and creates nazi regimes.
A traffic domainer bitching about the unfairness of intellectual property? You realize that your domain names are intellectual property too, right?
Intellectual Property (IP) is no different that your private property. It is the foundatin of society. The right to own your work, your effort and try to make a living with it.
If you don’t like private property rights, open your door, leave the keys in the car and your wallet on the table. Live your view and lets see how long you think this way.
another msft/aapl court rumble? lawyers must be wetting themselves with joy as we click.
I am very happy with my Zune 120, i must be one of the 12 lucky owners!
Now the other 11 must reveal themselves! It’s like Battlestar Galactica.
#2 here! 120GB also!
10 remain. And they have a plan…
Zune 30 owner here. Ditched my 80G iPod because the UI is lightyears ahead on the zune. I still do prefer my Creative Zen for video as it has xvid/divx support.
Faboi dreams of Apple grandeur aside here’s a good history of Multitouch from Bill Buxton.
http://www.bill...chOverview.html
Number 3… only with an 80GB, but I’m an international user so obtaining new hardware is a bit of a trek.
I had one but it got stolen along with my car
Planning on replacing it though!
Zunes are great – don’t hate, MG.
Fan #3 here. Only 9 more to go.
MGSiegler what happened to you? you were a star and just let it all go… I guess you showed your true colors… it’s kinda like when you see a hot girl, beautiful like none you seen and then you approach her to find out she is missing her teeth and has bad breath…
I <3 my Zune30.
WTF FACEBOOK IS DOWN WHY DEOSNT TECHCRUNCH TALK ABOUT IT LIKE THEY DO WITH TWITTER
workin fine for me. chill out.
Works fine for me as well. Maybe Facebook just doesn’t like people who use all caps.
http://www.instantrimshot.com/
++
Just when MG got slightly used to not using the t-word, you came along and screw things up…
“Zune fans (all 12 of you), I have some bad news. ”
hahaha nice
“Owning” multi-touch is akin to owning the drag and drop UI or Amazon’s misguided attempt to own one-click. It doesn’t make sense. The metaphor has been used successfully by HP and several other companies already. And the patent will choke the industry from important innovation.
My hope is that Apple leaves this alone and focuses on extending their mile-long lead. That’s the best patent protection there is.
You are right, “owning” multi-touch as a general concept doesn’t make sense, which is why nobody does. As you point out the very general idea of multi-touch has been around for decades. Companies do, however, own ideas related to multi-touch, such as specific interaction approaches or hardware technologies used to support the interaction.
Microsoft is performing a lot of great basic research in the realm of multi-touch, and I’m sure Apple is too. The existence of patents gives them a reason to compete and better each other.
this is similar to the Mac/Windows scenario. the Mac innovated and had better technology but Windows beat them anyway. Windows won on price and an abundance of software and development tools. now the iPhone comes out and it’s a marvel, if Apple drops the ball on this one, then it’s the apple executives that are to blame.
so far, apple is playing it smart. they are opening the door to developers and are mindful of the price.
Zune will not beat the iPhone on Better technology, even if they have better technology. the only way Zune can win is if they Innovate on a technology, be it size, battery, etc. we now live in a world where the executives actually know technology and i don’t think that apple will drop the ball this time.
I personally can’t wait for more REAL competition to the iPhone. And since it seems the Android OS is going through some kind of early mid life crisis I for one welcome Microsoft!
Daniel
https://spideroak.com – FREE Online Backup and Sync
i just switched from sugarsync to syncplicity this morning. if i would have seen your link earlier, maybe i’d have tried spideroak. =)
Okay, okay – Zune, Microsoft, Apple, blah blah.
Can we get back to talking about Twitter.
lol FAIL +1
The Zune jokes are like knock knock jokes, easy to do, and boring.
twitter… No… Jews… No… I thought this was a twitter love and political agenda / propaganda blog?!?!?!
And, in an additional piece of trivia, “Pink” was the codename of an operating-system project from the Taligent Apple-IBM alliance back in the late ’80s.
“Zune fans (all 12 of you)”
Seen this joke used so many times that it has official became lame today.
But I guess you must feel the same when it comes to Mac vs PC.
In 2003-2004, Microsoft Research was showing off their multitouch technology at company fairs, complete with two-finger zoom in/out, one-finger panning, and every other multitouch gesture that’s commonly used by the iPhone. Apple has absolutely no basis for legal action against Microsoft regarding multitouch.
Zune is better than Ipod anyday! Apples are rotten.
Thank you Microsoft Employees…! We know that Balmer makes you buy Zunes and say how great they are….Now the rest of us are going to put in our earbuds and then sync our photos, music, videos, movies, tv shows, audiobooks and podcasts with iTunes without even clicking a mouse. Later…
+1 for Zune fans
I hate Apple’s closed systems. Nothing bits a Zune with Amazon MP3 and BitComet videos.
cool so this MG Siegler twit can actually write articles about stuff other than twitter. maybe there is hope!!
yeah lol
To all Zune fans (all 12 of you) LoL
I don’t need Apples or Microsofts patents to multitouch myself
I’ve got 3 Zune’s I think that accounts for all 12 of us now.
Seigler you are a tool
The monopoly-mongers at Apple who think they’re the cool guy (rather than the uptight corporate stuffed shirt) still think they own anything and everything to do with mobile multi-touch… I can hardly wait until Apple dies (again).
I agree. I hate everything about Apple, and i think Microsoft should be able to do whatever they want with multi-touch. Apple’s stupid patents…
Thank you for your thoughtful contribution to the discussion.
I guess being a blogger and not a journalist means you can be bias right?
The Zune announcement wasn’t a mixup on Microsoft’s part. Rather, the blogsphere got punked by someone who pointed their profile to a MS.com address.
If you want credibility, don’t take for granted someone creating a twitter account as vouching for the namesake company.
In this case, it was obvious to anyone familiar with Microsoft’s official stance; heck, anyone with a modicum of common sense would have realized that the tweets were bogus.
Methinks you have the linking direction backwards.
Linking to an incorrect Twitter username from an official site and leaving themselves open to that little hack is at least a “mix up”, if not a screw up.
iphone is not the only multi-touch phone on the market today. LG with is very impressive S-CLASS UI already has a few phones with Multi-Touch inputs. it also has the famous pinch to zoom feature.
What?! No Zune?!!! *grumble*!!!
And as an aside, Apple is going to show off their new 10″ portable with their super duper new multitouch tech ala Minority Report in time for the holidays. Let the multitouch wars begin!
I’m not sure why you guys don’t do your research on this microsoft zune phone business…?
you do realize that microsoft acquired Danger last year right? As in the maker of the Danger HipTop…?
Do the math guys.