It's been a slow death, but the Zune line of portable media players has finally reached the end of the road.

Despite being the platform to lay the foundation for Microsoft's Metro UI – the same that is seen on Windows Phone 7 devices, Windows 8, and even the upcoming Xbox 360 Dashboard update – the Apple iPod competitor was unable to score the sales needed to keep the device afloat.

Not all is lost for existing Zune or Zune HD owners, as Microsoft has stated the following: "We recently announced that, going forward, Windows Phone will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy, and that we will no longer be producing Zune players. So what does this mean for our current Zune users? Absolutely nothing. Your device will continue to work with Zune services just as it does today. And we will continue to honor the warranties of all devices for both current owners and those who buy our very last devices."

Posted: Oct 11, 2011 1:57 pm

Source: http://uk.gear.ign.com/articles/119/1199230p1.html