With the forthcoming launch of the touchscreen Zune HD on September 15, Microsoft intends seeing the back of the entire Zune lineup - as things stand with the soon-to-be-completely-phased-out Zune, the November 2006-launched media player actually failed to make much of a mark, especially due to the fierce competition from the Apple iPod.

The Zune lineup comprised the original Zune 30GB, which is considered the so-called first generation model; the Zune 4, Zune 8, and Zune 80 being the second generation models; and the Zune 16 and Zune 120 being the third generation models.

With the overall Zune market share being nearly 10 percent, to put it magnanimously, it is a wise decision on Microsoft's put to see the end of it, more so with the Zune HD ready to replace it.

Talking about the new Zune HD device, a Microsoft spokesman told Ars, that it features "a touch OLED screen, HD Radio, HD video out capabilities, and Internet browser. Additional flash Zune devices and hard drive devices will continue to be available at retail until sold out, though we will not continue to manufacture those devices."

Specifying that the Zune 4.0 software would be available for the old Zune models, the Microsoft spokesperson said that, in terms of firmware for the old Zunes, Microsoft would keep providing updates for the earlier devices, for "stability" reasons.