Zune and 360 will be unified, say Allard

via Computer and Video Games


Xbox boss J Allard has said that the Xbox 360 and Zune music player will one day connect to the same network, suggesting that Microsoft's iPod rival might one day play a part in gaming.

Speaking to The New York Times, Allard said, "Today we have Xbox live for $50 a year. We have Zune Pass at $15 a month. We don't have a rationalised premium version yet. Fast forward a little bit, and you can image a menu like DirecTV. There is basic, there is enhanced, there is movie pack and NFL Sunday ticket.

"What I want to do at the Entertainment and Devices division is build an entertainment service that can connect, that has a screen and buttons and a speaker, so you can watch what you want, where you want, how you want."

He continued, "And you don't have to worry about multiple formats; we do it all for you on the back end. And you can reach all these eyeballs without lifting a finger."

Allard said that Xbox team now has to focus on "cost reduction, distribution and quality process," going forward. "Everyone is on their own cadence," he said.

"The one thing that transcends all this is the network as the nexus."