Zune Thoughts: More Views on a Zune Phone

"I find all the speculation of whether Microsoft is going to make a Zune phone amusing. No doubt it comes from interest in seeing how Microsoft will respond to Apple's iPhone, but noone seems to take into account that iPhone may be in response to Windows Mobile. Why should Microsoft invest in making a Zune phone, when with some minor alterations they could make Windows Mobile more competitive?"

Frank McPherson, author of How To Do Everything With Windows Mobile, weighs in with this opinion on the rumored Zune Phone device, and Todd Ogasawara of MobileViews responds to some of Frank's thoughts and offers up his own insights. Franks original blog can be found here, and Todd's follow-up here. McPherson's main argument is that a Zune Phone is not needed since Windows Mobile fits the bill. I disagree with this line of thought. Windows Mobile is designed for a completely different market segment than a Zune Phone will target. (Sure there is some overlap.) The majority of the Zune demographic does not need all of the flexibility, functionality, and complications, that come with a Windows Mobile device. Has there been a Windows Mobile phone to date that could be considered a successful consumer level device, rather than relegated to professionals and enthusiasts? The Zune Phone really needs to stick to the simplicity and ease of use that the current Zune offers.