Zune Still Rolling Ahead for 2009, Says Microsoft

Amidst the economic turmoil, Microsoft is confident everything will be A-OK.

Among other news in the company, Microsoft revealed that sales of its Zune media player were down 54 percent last quarter. While some of this can be attributed to the economic slowdown, it left many wondering about the Zune's place in 2009.

Rest assured, Microsoft came out to console the masses. "Every time anything comes up, there is a set of people who pull a Chicken Little and say, 'The Sky is Falling. Zune is dead'," said Adam Sohn, Microsoft's director of marketing for the Zune. He also noted that iPod sales were down 16 percent. The numbers seem pretty far apart at first, but Sohn was quick to remind that the Zune is only sold in Canada and the United States, whereas the iPod is sold in North America and several international markets.

"That category, Apple and us, didn't grow like it did [in 2007]," said Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division. "But Zune did fine. Right about our expectations and we feel pretty good about the direction that's going."

So what about the Zune's future? According to Sohn: "The fact is we are on track to deliver the next generation of Zune innovation in software and hardware. We will deliver progress this calendar year."

The Zune's safety in 2009 isn't the only good news coming out of Microsoft today. The tech giant also revealed it's new pick for the head of its Games for Windows division. The recently departed (laid off) Chris Early has been replaced by Ron Pessner, who is coming over from the Entertainment and Devices division.

If you've never used the Games for Windows service before (which is now 100 percent free), head on over to Steam and download the free Dawn of War II multiplayer beta. Remember, if you have an Xbox Live account, log into Games for Windows with the same user information.