Allard envisions a shared Zune and 360 network

by Dustin Burg { Nov 19th 2007 at 11:30AM }

J Allard and Microsoft want to be the king, no scratch that, the iron fisted media ruler of your living room and they firmly believe that the way to throne is by integrating everything.

In an interview with the New York Times Blog, Allard discusses Microsoft's plans to connect the Xbox 360 world with the Zune's to create one massively connected content source. "The Zune guys have to run really fast. The Windows Mobile guys are on a two-year release cycle. The Xbox team now needs to focus on cost reduction, distribution and quality process. Everyone is on their own cadence. The one thing that transcends all this is the network as the nexus". Allard and Microsoft's plans are (undoubtedly) vague and somewhat fluffy in how they plan on executing an MSN style integration, but we'll just have to sit back and see what comes down the pipeline.

And honestly, we're not sure if having our Xbox 360, Zune, Windows Mobile, MSN, IPTV and other super-amazing-Microsoft-product services wrapped up into one do it all ~~service~~ nexus. Yes, it's an interesting concept that'll aid in Microsoft becoming king of all digital media, but from a gamer's standpoint ... we just want games. Hopefully Microsoft can find the right balance of inter-connectivity without shoving services down our throats or bloating the system, because we're still about the games. Remember Allard, Xbox 360 is all about the games.

Tags: j-allard, microsoft, xbox-360, zune

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Tony @ Nov 19th 2007 11:41AM

I don't think it's a terrible idea if it's done right. We're talking kind of about XBLA games that come out and work at the same time on 360, PC and mobile devices, for example. That would be cool (particularly if they only make you pay once).

The Zune actually has a networking site similar in nature to how Xbox Live works through the system itself and the website. social.zune.net. I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually combine more, but as it stands now the Zune Social does pull your 360 friends list initially.

Scopique @ Nov 19th 2007 11:52AM

"but from a gamer's standpoint ... we just want games"

So gamers don't care about music, or movies or TV?

DjDATZ @ Nov 19th 2007 12:02PM

Meh, I couldn't care much about Zune...I'm getting an iPhone this Christmas.

Gemini Ace @ Nov 19th 2007 12:03PM

Dude, I want this. I have a windows mobile phone, a Zune, and a 360. Why wouldn't I want them to be able to talk to each other?

Make it so, J. Make it so.

Jcarpio @ Nov 19th 2007 12:04PM

Be nice if the marketplace can be used to download music too.

i don't see anything wrong with expanding marketplace capabilities.

Van Faulk @ Nov 19th 2007 12:10PM

Let's just get the zune and video marketplace to canada. My ipod is dying (again) and I don't wanna have to buy one of the new super gimpastic skus that apple offers.

TurboFool @ Nov 19th 2007 12:12PM

I've been putting a lot of thought into this over the last week and realizing how cool the integration aspects of this could and hopefully will be.

The obvious ones have been integrating the marketplaces and letting them work together. Considering your gamertag is tied to your Zune, as well, and your Microsoft Points are shared between your Xbox Live and Zune accounts, there's no reason not to integrate them further. Let me buy and view the content I purchase on one on the other. Give me access to my Zune-bought music and Zune subscription on my 360, and give me access to my 360-purchased and rented videos on my computer and my Zune.

But the next step I want to see is integrating the subscriptions. Microsoft's got Live Silver and Live Gold already. Why not add a Live Platinum that includes the Zune subscription, plus something additional to reward you for having both services/devices?

Obviously it can go further with simple games for the Zune and so on, but even with the devices operating exactly as they do now, there's much to integrate and a lot of benefits.

And that's not including all of the possibilities for Windows Mobile. Combine the Zune's WiFi with my Windows Mobile device's WiFi, and we've got the ability to download content while anywhere I get mobile service. Then give me the ability to log into Live Marketplace with my phone and initiate downloads to my 360 for when I get home, and other similar tasks, and I'll be one happy guy.

stinger503 @ Nov 19th 2007 12:14PM

woohoo new halo 3 maps just announced by major nelson!

Skyfire360 @ Nov 19th 2007 12:18PM

I don't really have anything to share, other than the fact that the picture is absolutely hilarious. Everyone in the coffee shop is looking at me weird because I'm laughing so hard.

JAKEJAX @ Nov 19th 2007 12:30PM

I wouldn't mind having things more connected. How cool would it be if I can sit at my desk at work and go to Marketplace online and order an arcade game or a map pack. So when I get home it will already be on my xbox. Seaching for stuff on Marketplace from my xbox kind of sucks. I might buy a Zune now because they finally have podcast support.

T3H WICKERMAN (FDF) @ Nov 19th 2007 12:36PM

J Allard you Bartleby and lOki looking tool. That would have been nice A YEAR AGO. To little to late. Nice corporate picture you butt muncher!

MOSCHOPS @ Nov 19th 2007 12:57PM

Zunes are gay. Please delete them. Thanks

mernmern @ Nov 19th 2007 1:02PM

I would like to be able to put game movies and previews on my zune. By the way, it really is a terrific device.

xenocidic @ Nov 19th 2007 1:11PM

damn that dude is so BALD

ANt @ Nov 19th 2007 1:30PM

#11 agreed. He and Cliffy B should move to a small island somewhere together and never be seen again.

Andre @ Nov 19th 2007 1:40PM

Forget the Zune.

Odog4ever @ Nov 19th 2007 2:26PM

I just picked up a brand new Zune 30GB for $90. (Deals are a plenty online) With the new firmware and software it fucking rocks. I also like that I can stream music from my computer wirelessy through the zune software without a lot of fuss. And even though I love OSX and Macs I hate iTunes, so lucky me.

Since your gamertag and MS points already work across Live and Zune marketplace its only a matter of time until video downloads are playing nice with each other on both services

Obviously Xbox 360 is not all about games since out of the box it can do more that. It not like all of a sudden the games are going to disappear because more features are added and content is provided from companies that don't make games at all.

I think its funny that people look at the Zune brand and laugh. But then again the same thing happened when Xbox 1 came out. Now look at the brand...

Gemini Ace @ Nov 19th 2007 3:57PM

I also think it would be nice if the Zune could act as another storage device for your 360. If you're running low on space on your 20Gig drive, then move some stuff to your Zune. Or, make it like a memory card so all I need to do is take my Zune to my buddy's house and connect to XBL.

Islanti @ Nov 19th 2007 4:16PM

Simple things that should be integrated between the 360 and Zune ASAP:
1. Xbox Live Video Marketplace Standard Definition video content (already provided free if you buy the HD version) to be transferred (with apprpriate DRM) to the Zune.
2. Zune Marketplace music subscription content to be downloaded and played back on the 360.
3. Copy music between the Zune and 360.

Since both are (un-cracked) DRM-heavy platforms owned by MS there's really no excuse for MS not to do these things. It's just too obvious a step for them not to take. I'll certainly buy a Zune and a monthly sub if I could auto-download a variety of music to my 360.

Hoffer @ Nov 19th 2007 7:36PM

I love my 360. An media player that has really cool integration with it would be awesome. I almost bought a new Zune, but decided to wait until the fall dashboard update. I want to see if there will be any cool new Zune/360 tricks.