The long, strange history of the Microsoft Zune may finally be coming to an end. The player that was chunky, funky and not all that bad when compared to an iPod might have heard its death knell when CEO Steve Balmer only said the company would "maintain investments" in the Zune. He also went on to say that he looks at the Zune as a service and a device, which could mean that all research and development dollars will be focused on incorporating Zune programs in rumored products such as Windows Mobile phones. Though Zune might yet rise from the ashes and smite the mighty Apple, it seems the smart money would be snapping a few up for the collector's resale market. [ Gizmodo ]