S.T.A.G.E. said:
Because Microsoft was a monopolistic entity and wants to be the end all be all for everyone. AT&T was the same way. Ever since Apple got big again in the early 2000's with the IPod and slowly with the Mac after Napsters issues it started getting to them and Apple still is slowly eating away at their marketshare. Slowly but surely. Sure they still sell a lot especially since their operating system comes default, but if someone came in with a better operating system than Windows for PC MS and it was business and family approved by the media MS would be in for a rough show. Look at how people percieve Apple in the states. Very positive. If they cannot dominate their competition they leave and this is coming from a loyal Zune owner. After they dropped Zune I switched back to Apple even though they dont have the radio like the Zune did, they now have Pandora and other stations, so I am happy in that respect. |
Already in 2009, Microsoft was reporting the Zune profits were tumbling (http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Zune-Microsoft-Earnings,news-3355.html). Things didn't really pick up for the Zune from that point on either and with the rise of smartphones (which many use to listen to music), I'm pretty sure the decision to discontinue the product had everything to do with Zune not being profitable anymore or being headed in that direction.
The situation with consoles is much different.
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