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digitaldaily is carrying a story where they surmise a Zunephone could be released by Microsoft within the next 2 months.

Going waaaay back to April of 2009, rumours were abound about a project Pink within Microsoft, which was code for “Zune phone”. It was to be a mobile device, similar to the Zune, which ran Windows Mobile 7. There was talk about cameras, 720p, and a host of services. None of it materialized as it seems Pink was shelved.

Recently, Jeffries & Company Analyst Katherine Egbert had the following to say:

“Our recent industry checks indicate Microsoft will be debuting its own phone sometime in the next two months. We expect the new phone to debut soon, at either the Feb 15-18 Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona Spain, or possibly at CTIA in Las Vegas one month later.”

Included in the linked article is a quote from Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, outlining intentions to develop a mobile platform. Most interesting is the following bit:
Read the rest of this entry »

Head on over to gizmodo to read about how Microsoft may have just announced the zunephone over twitter. They essentially recommend to hold off on buying a Pre/iPhone until June 2009 as the Zune will be receiving an update then.

Be wary though, there is some discussion about the reliability of the source.

UPDATE:
Looks like BS

“Just talked to Brian Seitz, Group Marketing Manager of Zune, who says he just dropped a line to the Office team, and that they have no control or involvement with the twitter account that published the rumors. So, the entire thing is kind of bullshit. Just like we figured. Not quite a denial, but a good ruse for attention, for sure.”

itworld brought to light Microsoft’s list of guidelines (pdf) for apps allowed on their mobile market for the Zune, and it forbids the creation of any type of VOIP app:

4. Applications that enable VoIP (Voice over IP) services over a mobile operator network.

Looks like no skype on the Zune.