Zune Thoughts: Microsoft Grades Itself B-

“A Microsoft executive has gone on record about several topics, mainly the health of the Zune media player. Mindy Mount, the corporate vice president and CFO of Microsoft’s entertainment and device division, says that she grades the Zune a "B-" in its current state. She argues that the player is doing well, sales wise, for “a product out in less than a year and a half," but that the company is still developing the brand and trying to expand its identity. Apple's iPod is described as a motivational competitor, forcing the Zune team to evolve. No specific successors have been mentioned.”

I wonder what this executive would have said if she’d waited a day for the new iPod releases? I suppose for last generation the Zune was, ultimately, a B-. But after what transpired with Apple’s announcements? Well what is currently out is, at best, a C. If the iPod is a motivational competitor then Microsoft should have a lot of motivation now. And don’t get me wrong; I love my Zune! But if this is what Microsoft executives think of their own product then that’s a bad thing.

But there is a silver lining to this. If a Microsoft executive recognizes that the Zune has shortcomings then hopefully they will actually start to work on fixing them.