The Microsoft circles are talking again courtesy a tip from Paul Thurrot saying Zune as a brand will be killed and made a part of Windows Live. My first reaction? Microsoft pulls a Microsoft. My second reaction, what is Microsoft thinking? My third reaction, this blog post. Here’s a theory on what Microsoft might be planning under this alleged rebranding effort.<\/p>\n
Long before Apple’s App Store for OS X came out, Windows 8 has been rumored to have an App Store and this move signals Microsoft’s intention for the same. So here’s the thing:<\/p>\n
Why bundle it under Windows Live?<\/strong><\/p>\n I am perplexed by this. A web based Zune store being called Windows Live makes sense but with Hotmail, Messenger, Skydrive, Office Live being part of the entire suite of online services, it doesn’t. Which creates a bit of brand confusion. One is a service to buy apps, music the others are individual products.<\/p>\n Given Skydrive is becoming integral to Microsoft’s consumer online services, Office Live, Hotmail and Messenger can be put under one product as the others being features available.<\/p>\n I’d imagine Windows Live Essentials being rebranded at some point since these applications will be available in Microsoft’s Windows Live store.<\/p>\n Why not Xbox?<\/strong><\/p>\n Zune’s brand image is associated with the music player that unfortunately did not do well (thanks to Microsoft no less) but Zune can be a part of Xbox and present Microsoft’s entertainment front but does not fit as a Windows App store.<\/p>\n The point being, this is as confusing for Microsoft given their wide array of services.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Microsoft rebranding Zune as Windows Live, a theory on why it makes sense and how it is confusing.<\/p>\n