On Monday, it was noted the Microsoft removed reference for Zune HD on their site which people took that Zune is already dead but Microsoft Zune Team member Michael Yaeger stated that it was just a mistake and the reference is now back up.  But the Zune player and support service page tells the real story.

“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. Customer service has been, and will remain a top priority for us.”

The death of the Zune wasn’t a surprise, since the device wasn’t really a popular choice for music lovers. The Zune’s developments were always outdated and lacked several features compared to Apple products.  Last March, Bloomberg reported that Microsoft will stop releasing new models of Zune, which Senior Business Development Manager for Zune Dave McLauchlan quickly refuted the news, and stated that what Bloomberg reported was not an official statement from Microsoft and people shouldn’t believe everything they read.

Though the Zune.net page still features the Zune HD, it can be noted that the focus is more on the software, Music Pass, Zune on Windows Phone and Xbox LIVE.  This is where Microsoft will truly be able to compete, even though Apple has a pretty good handle on the personal cloud as far as music media goes.  As cloud technology reaches more consumers, however, the service will matter less and access will become the priority here.  That means a great deal more cooperation will have to take place across devices and services, so Microsoft’s software goals make sense for the Zune.

At present, portable music players aren’t that big of a deal anymore.  Most smartphones offer music listening features just like any MP3 or MP4 player out in the market.  Even the glorified iPods are taking a backseat to the iPhone and iPad.  Music has become an integrated feature rather than a selling point, and that’s generally a good thing.