A Microsoft job listing suggests the Zune MP3 player line is far from dead and a sequel is in the works. The job, a Senior Mechanical Engineer, is a posting from the Portable Entertainment Group with Mobile Communications business (MCB) – the team that shipped the Zune HD, and created all the hardware on that device.
Microsoft has been silent on the prospect of a Zune hardware refresh this year but this job posting plays into the rumor MS will develope one last model of the dedicated MP3 player before it merges completely into Windows Phone and/or Xbox platforms. The Zune brand has already made its way on to the Xbox 360 earlier this year. Many fans hope the next Zune will be closer to an iPod touch AKA Windows Mobile Seven device sans the phone calling capability.