If someone were to seriously try to dethrone the Apple behemoth that happily rampages around the digital distribution landscape, they would have a tremendous challenge on their hands. They would need a fundamentally solid piece of hardware that made mouths water, a software distribution engine that was ubiquitous and filled with quality media, and a solid foundation that they could easily pull and cultivate a customer base from. From the sounds of things, Microsoft's Zune HD and OneApp concept might be the one-two punch that Microsoft needs stay relevant in the mobile phone and portable media player market.

The iPhone was such a hit because it was an excellent machine, and there was a zombie army of Mac users (like myself) who blindly drank the kool-aid and made the App store and the iPhone a success. No part of me thinks the Zune HD is an iPhone killer, but it isn't supposed to be. It is after the iPod market - specifically, the iPod Touch. To be honest, the Zune HD is sleek, sexy, and it looks like a winner. I have demoed a Zune 8GB player, and I really liked it, in fact, I liked it more than my shuffle. I would have kept it if it wasn't so Mac unfriendly (hint-hint). If the OneApp store is capable of bringing the Zune Marketplace media catelouge together with a selection of Windows Mobile applications, and (here is the kicker) Xbox media and games, it will be a serious contender. In my opinion, the Xbox user base is Microsoft's secret army. If they can leverage Xbox users and interest them in the Zune HD and the OneApp store with some clever integration, it will be a force to be reckoned with.

As of right now, OneApp news is sketchy and largely rumor based. That won't keep the Internet from speculating however. One thing is for certain - if the Zune HD and the OneApp store does not take advantage of the Xbox fanboy crowd, than it is already irrelevant. Personally, I would be happy with Mac support with the Zune Marketplace, but I don't see that happening any time soon.

via Electronista