replacing WMP with Zune

[DMGrier]

Why doesn't MS just replace WMP with Zune and just give zune dvd codec support? Why spend the time maintaining two media players that pretty much do the same thing?

 

[Gornot]

Because Zune is a huge piece of software, it integrates the Marketplace and social features into the player, not to mention that it gives syncing with Zune devices the same importance as iTunes gives to their iThingies , but supports fewer file formats, and includes no video support (right? I forget).

Zune is targeted towards users that have the actual hardware, while WMP is a universal media player for Windows. I understand your point of view, and I would pretty much like the same thing to happen, despite the fact that I don't own a Zune, but that's just not likely to happen.

 

[DMGrier]

Zune does have video support with the exception of DVD formats, but it does WMV and has Divx built into it for the last year. Plus I think it supports 10 different audio formats.

 

[Gornot]

... which already makes it better than iTunes, but unlike Apple users that usually have the hardware to match with the software, it's not also the case with Zune. I guess that's the main reason. Besides, you bet your rearend that the world will scream "anti trust" if that happened. There are already versions of Win7 without the media features.