Microsoft kills Zune media player line after 5 yrs

New York: Microsoft is discontinuing the Zune media player, which it launched five years ago in the hope of taking on the iPod.

The player was well reviewed when it launched in 2006, and it grabbed as much as 10 per cent of the market for media players. But enthusiasm faded, and the Zune has become one of many failed iPod wannabes.

Microsoft Corp. hasn't released a major update to the line in two years. Some of the look and functionality of the Zune has been moved over to Microsoft's smartphone software, which it says "will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy."

Microsoft says it will continue to support existing players.