Ballmer confirms Zune integration for Windows Mobile 7

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer confirmed that the upcoming version of the software giant's Windows Mobile operating system will integrate Zune multimedia player functionality. In an interview with Engadget, Ballmer said WinMo 7, scheduled for release sometime in 2010, will feature elements of the Zune platform but did not address the fate of the mobile version of its Windows Media Player.

Ballmer first said would adapt the Zune software platform for Windows Mobile in Oct. 2008. "At the end of the day, one of the big trends is that all content is going digital," Ballmer told CIO. "And if we don't have the software and services that are useful, helpful and valuable for the consumption of music and video, we are sort of not really a player. Now, we built the Zune hardware with the Zune software--and what you'll see more and more over time is that the Zune software will also be ported to and be more important not just with the hardware but on the PC, on Windows Mobile devices, etc."

For more on Ballmer's comments:
- read this Engadget article

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