Microsoft shift over one million Zunes

Only 99 million to go to catch up with iPod sales…

29 May 2007 10:55 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

In a recent interview with the "San Francisco Chronicle", Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's entertainment and devices division, made some interesting statements regarding Microsoft's Zune.

Bach revealed that Microsoft has shifted "a little over a million Zunes", and followed it up by stating: "It's not an overwhelming start. I'm not going to pretend it's some gigantic move".

It's certainly not a gigantic move when you consider Apple announced the sale of their 100 millionth iPod in April this year.

Bach was philosophical about Apple's dominance: "In the music business, competing with Apple aggressively is fun. I enjoy that. They're a great company and a worthy competitor".

He claimed that in the States the Zune enjoys a 10% market share in the hard-disk-based player category.

The Chronicle interviewers quizzed Bach on recent stories suggesting new Zunes due to be launched, including the rumoured flash-based memory model.

Bach refused to give details of the alleged revamps, saying only "There will be new things down the path".

He did reveal that as well as the special edition pink Zune, there will be a "watermelon-colored" version, not news of particular interest to any Blighty-based readers as we're still yet to see a Zune of any colour launch on our fair shores.

To read the original article in full, or to follow a further link to listen to the interview, just click below.

STORY UPDATE!

It appears that something was lost in translation when the San Fran journos transcribed this interview and Bach actually said they are on target to sell a million Zunes by the end of the fiscal year in June, not that they've already reached that number. Tsk, tsk. Journalists - what can you do?