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Zune Marketplace closing with Microsoft Points conversion
The Zune Marketplace will close its virtual doors whenever Microsoft decides to flip the switch and convert from MS Points to local currency, which could be as soon as Thursday, August 22 according to the Zune Marketplace FAQ. The Zune Marketplace's movie and television rental/purchasing functionalities will be taken over by the Xbox Video platform, whereas its musical feature set will become the domain of Xbox Music, provided you've got a subscription to the service that allows streaming to an Xbox 360. Microsoft recommends that you "spend your points balance prior to this change," but last we heard MS Points will be converted into an amount of local currency of equal or greater value.
With the launch of Xbox Music, Zune is truly no more (update: Zune Pass users get 1,000 Microsoft point parting gift)
It's over, folks. Or at least nearly over. Write it down -- time of death: 12:01AM ET, October 16. That's when the Zune brand is officially no more, and "Xbox Music/Video" and its store replace the Zune Marketplace; the final, quiet end of a brand that's been waning for years. "Yes, the Zune brand is gone, and the Zune products are gone," Xbox Music GM Jerry Johnson told us in a meeting last week. While Zune devices will still work with Windows 7, and the Zune Pass simply becomes the Xbox Music Pass, the brand is effectively no more, joining the Kin and Microsoft Bob in the annals of MS history. Bizarrely, the branding will continue on for Windows 7 and Windows Phone 7 users, with the Zune Marketplace mirroring Xbox Music's content. That's likely due to Xbox Music being exclusive to Windows 8 devices (which includes the Xbox 360, despite its age, and Windows Phone 8) -- Microsoft promises a continued focus on Xbox Music going forward, while Zune support drops out. In the end, though Zune was a failure for Microsoft, Johnson said it was a worthwhile learning experience for the company. "The Zune brand got associated with a device, and what we did with Xbox Music is actually turn around and say, 'Let's build something from the ground up, leveraging what we've learned from a lot of these different things.' But it's not gonna be device-centric, it's gonna be service-centric," he explained. In Johnson's eyes, the failure of Zune as a brand is directly tied to the failure of Zune as a device -- and having the highly successful Xbox brand tied to its media offerings, he's hoping to skirt previous negative perceptions and relaunch Microsoft's place in media delivery. Whether that'll happen remains to be seen, but either way, this is the final nail in the Zune's coffin -- not just as a device, but as a thing in the world. Update: Looks like Microsoft hasn't forgotten the loyalty of the diehards who stayed with Zune until the end, as Zune Music Pass users are getting 1,000 Microsoft Points for free along with the switch to Xbox Music.
Report: Microsoft Points no longer the only way to pay with Windows 8
Microsoft Points may no longer be the only form of payment in Windows 8. According to Polygon's experience with Zune Marketplace on a final build of Windows 8, users can pay using actual money rather than being forced to use Microsoft's oft-maligned currency. In Windows 8 preview builds, Microsoft Points were the only form of payment. Now, they apparently aren't even the default.A rumor surfaced earlier this year suggesting Microsoft Points are being phased out completely, including from the Xbox Live platform they launched on. Two months ago, real money options briefly showed up on the Xbox Marketplace, though Microsoft claimed they were an error. The change to Windows 8 may be the signal of further changes across Microsoft's platforms, but for now the space bucks live on Xbox Live to fight another day.
Windows 8 defaults direct cash payments for music and movies, puts Microsoft Points on backburner
Microsoft's real money to "Points" conversion has always been a point of contention among consumers, but that may all be about to change -- if the Windows 8 Zune Marketplace is any indicator, that is. Movies and music purchased via Windows 8 no longer default to the bizarre indirect system Microsoft set in place years ago with its Xbox Live platform, instead allowing actual currency for payment as well as MS Points (Windows 8 exclusively used the MS Point system for media purchases throughout beta). In fact, the system even automatically selects hard currency as the standard, reports The Verge. The MS Point system converts 80 MS Points to $1, and points much be purchased in a minimum of 400 point blocks -- a practice criticized as both deceptive and consumer hostile. Points were first implemented on Microsoft's Xbox 360 for purchase of games and associated content on Xbox Live Marketplace; the practice has since expanded to Microsoft's Zune music and movie platform, as well as Xbox.com. Direct payment is available as well, but only for select content, such as Games on Demand. As of this morning, the change hadn't affected the Xbox 360 Marketplace, though rumors earlier this year indicated that MS Points may be wholesale phased out by the end of 2012. Update: Microsoft offered us the following statement: "With Xbox expanding into new markets through Windows 8, we want to provide greater flexibility for you to purchase and access Xbox content by using your credit card. Local currency will be the primary method for making purchases in Windows 8. Current Xbox LIVE customers may also make a purchase using points. Microsoft Points continue to be the currency for purchasing content for the Xbox 360 console. We have nothing to announce regarding future plans."
Select Zune services being pulled, Xbox 360 largely unaffected
Microsoft is preparing its transition from Zune to Xbox Music, announcing today that select Zune functionality would go the way of the Dodo starting tomorrow, August 31. Xbox 360 users will find their experience pretty much the same for now – you can still stream unlimited music videos with your Zune Pass subscription.With the Windows 8 launch right around the corner on October 26, Microsoft is doing away with Zune HD apps and many aspects of using Zune on the PC, Engadget reports. Social Zune features such as sending messages, sharing playlists and viewing past play history have been axed, and users may no longer purchase or stream music videos on the PC, nor can Zune users re-download, re-activate or re-license music videos on new machines or if they upgrade to Windows 8.
Zune's last days: Microsoft pulling Zune HD apps, select features on August 31st
Microsoft's oddly named music service put its official resignation in earlier this summer, but the Zune brand isn't in its coffin just yet -- although Redmond is certainly driving in the nails. Zune Pass subscribers, for instance, are now receiving word that the service's Mixview playback and channel playlist features will be discontinued on August 31st, along with music video streaming from the Zune desktop software. User licenses to previously purchased music videos are being reworked as well, cutting off user access to old content on new machines. The service's once heavily touted social aspect seems to be making way for Xbox Music as well: users will no longer be able to send or receive messages, invite friends or share songs, playlists, and play history. Last, but not least, the company is dealing its old hardware one final blow by discontinuing Zune HD apps -- not that there were many to kill off. Microsoft has little else to say in the brief email, but promises to share more information about Xbox Music soon. Check it out for yourself after the break.
Report: Microsoft readying 'Woodstock' music service for Xbox 360, to debut at E3
When you think modern, digital music, your mind probably immediately jumps to 30-plus-year-old music festivals. Microsoft clearly understands this, as the company is allegedly preparing a relaunch/rebranding of its Xbox 360 Zune music service to be debuted at E3 2012, dubbed "Woodstock." The Verge's report comes from "sources familiar with the company's plans;" said report paints Woodstock as functional across a variety of platforms beyond the 360: Windows 8, iOS, and Android. Despite an E3 introduction, the service isn't planned for launch until this fall when Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 arrive.iTunes Match-esque functionality is also said to be part of Woodstock which will upload your library and match it with anything you've snagged from Woodstock. The report calls the service, "Spotify-like," with Facebook integration intended to allow collaboration on playlists and let users share tracks between libraries. We've asked Microsoft for a response to the report, but aren't expecting much beyond a wordy "no comment." We'll update this post if we hear anything else.Update: Shock! Microsoft reps tell Joystiq, "Microsoft does not comment on rumors or speculation." Back to listening to our Woodstock live album for now.
Zune Music Pass comes to the Land Down Under, you'll soon hear the thunder
Yes, we're talking about Australia. Microsoft's Zune Music Pass is now available from coast to coast for 11.99 AUD (about $12.14) per month or 119.90 AUD (about $121.38) for a full year, with 14-day trials available for a cool 0.00 AUD. You'll have access to 11 million tracks from your Windows Phone, desktop Zune client or the web -- with Xbox 360 support on the way. So let the beer flow, but don't chunder.
Zune is dead, long live Zune
Like Zune's own Business Development Manager once said, all consumer electronics products have a lifespan, and today the (not so long) lineage of dedicated Zune hardware expires not with a roar, but with a promise to honor its warranties. Tucked away in the inner chambers of the Zune support site lies a page spelling out Microsoft's final words on the device, "Windows Phone will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy," it says, "we will no longer be producing Zune players." The Zune HD is survived by the Zune music service, which will continue to function with straggling standalone media players, as well as the Windows desktop, Windows Phone and Xbox platforms.
Microsoft announces new $10 Zune Music Pass, expands service to Canada
It may not enjoy quite the same level of buzz that the likes of Spotify, Rdio and MOG have been basking in lately, but Microsoft's Zune service is still kicking, and the company's now working to make it a bit more appealing and more widely available. For folks in the US, the big change today is a new $10 per month Zune Music Pass, which is identical to the existing $15 service with the notable exception that you no longer get to keep ten free MP3s each month (that $15 option remains available to existing subscribers, though). Elsewhere, Microsoft has also now finally brought the Zune Marketplace and Zune Pass to Canada -- it opens up on October 3rd, with the Zune Pass running the same $10/month (or $100 for a year of service). [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Samsung High Fidelity Position app gives Mango GPS a Russian boost
Using your phone's GPS to guide you down city streets can sometimes be a harrowing experience, especially in signal blackspots (or when there's a mild breeze). Fortunately, there's a fancy new solution -- for some of you at least. High Fidelity Position is an app specifically for Samsung Mango phones that supercharges the GPS module with two upgrades to help positioning. The first leverages the on-board accelerometer and compass to help the Windows 7 device orient itself on congested city streets. Second is that it will now access GLONASS -- Russia's equivalent to GPS -- pinpointing your location to within a few feet. When installed, the app is only visible in the settings menu, where you will need to activate it. We can also expect to see more of GLONASS in the future, since Russia's imposing import taxes of about 25-percent on any device that's incompatible with the Soviet standard, and manufacturers won't want to take a hit of that magnitude on a feature they can use. Samsung WP7.5 owners who want every excuse to celebrate the triumphs of Gagarin, Sputnik and Laika can find the app available at the source link below.
Rumor: Zune Marketplace revamped on Xbox 360 as streaming video service
Microsoft's Zune Marketplace may be getting a new business directive in the coming months, as a report this morning suggests that the current service on Xbox 360 will soon offer a streaming subscription option. Anonymous sources in Microsoft's Redmond, Washington homebase tell The Daily that the Zune-branded service will become an additional source of streaming content alongside the Xbox 360's current Netflix and Hulu Plus options. Could this be the service Microsoft announced during its E3 2011 press conference, and has yet to speak about with any specificity? Or is it some derivation of the rumored Xbox Live Diamond project? That remains unclear, but with the company's plans to launch some form of streaming television on Xbox 360 this fall, it stands to reason we'll hear more about what's actually going on in the not-so-distant future. Update: Microsoft tells us it "doesn't comment on rumors or speculations," as expected. We'd also like to point out that while Microsoft's Zune Marketplace has had the ability to stream content for some time, today's rumor specifically pertains to a subscription for the Marketplace content to be streamed.
The Engadget app for Windows Phone is here
25,000 apps? Make it 25,001. The Engadget app for Windows Phone is here. Finally. Now your HD7 or Surround or Trophy or Omnia can get some native news in a format that's so Metro it doesn't even have a driver's license. We know that it took awhile, but we needed it to be right, and now it is. On the app you can get all the posts from the main site as well as Mobile and HD, plus podcasts, videos, and all the content we pour our hearts in to every day, pushed right to your palm. If you have a Windows Phone device that can handle QR codes, there's an image waiting for you after the break. Or, you're welcome to click on the source link below, which should open the Zune app and make some magic happen. No Zune app installed? No magic, but maybe that just means you'd prefer our similarly enchanting iPad, iPhone, webOS, BlackBerry, or Android flavors?
Microsoft outlines new features for Windows Phone Mango's Music and Video Hubs
When Microsoft unveiled Windows Phone Mango last month, the company spent a lot of time walking us through some of the 500-plus changes to the OS -- most notably, conversation threads, people groups, enhanced search functionality, Twitter and LinkedIn integration, IE9, and the instantly responsive Bing Vision. It's no wonder, then, that Redmond didn't have much time to talk multimedia. Well, the company just spilled the beans in a blog post, laying out a raft of new features that run the gamut from podcasts to improved playback controls. We've got a lot to recap, so join us past the break, won't you? %Gallery-125313%
Zune HD finally gets an e-mail application, still waiting on a future
The future of the Zune as a standalone media player is still a little in doubt, but its future of being able to send crucially important e-mails and, in return, get a boatload of spam is now fully assured. A free e-mail app has been added to the Zune Marketplace supporting Gmail, Windows Live Mail, and of course good 'ol POP3 accounts. Unfortunately all we have to gaze upon is that tiny screenshot over on the right, but it certainly looks familiar enough to fit right into the Zune ecosphere without making any waves. Just make sure you don't go looking for your Steely Dan collection inside the unread folder. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Zune Insider reminds that Zune isn't dead, announces Zune HD launch in Canada
We still have only an official non-denial from Microsoft about the continued livelihood of the name "Zune" as a brand, but now we have Zune Insider saying "Zune is not dead." Indeed we already knew that, but the question is what's coming in the future with Windows Phone seemingly getting all the company's attention of late. The future we still don't know about, but we do have some news about the present for Canadians: the Zune HD! Yes, our friendly neighbors to the north need no longer look south to purchase Microsoft's latest entry to the Zune series -- though "latest" is a somewhat sad designation for hardware that was released in 2009. However, there's still no Marketplace available: it'll strictly be a BYO tunage affair for now.
The Guild picked up for season 5
The Guild just keeps going -- all the way to season 5, according to a post on Facebook by the award-winning web series' creator Felicia Day, who posted last week to let the general public know that The Guild is a go for next season. As in seasons past, new episodes will run on Xbox Live, MSN Video, and the Zune Marketplace. Season 4 of The Guild focused on several different themes: Codex's ill-fated attempts at romance with Axis of Anarchy leader Fawkes, her attempts to repair her failing computer, and the attempts of the Knights of Good as a whole to pull together enough gold to fund a much-coveted guild hall purchase. Everything ended on a mostly positive note, and it looks like season 5 will surround the Knights of Good as they travel to every gamer's paradise: a convention. While there's no release date set as of yet for season 5, you can always pick up the DVDs, or simply watch the prior seasons online courtesy of MSN Video.
Xbox Live 'Thanksgiving Week' sale detailed
Apparently, Thanksgiving is a full week now. You might be thinking that makes sense -- the olden-times harvest festival on which the holiday is based must have been, like, days of celebration, right? No, no, that's not it at all. Thanksgiving Week is the period beginning on the Tuesday before Turkey Day (that's today!) and lasting through the following Monday in which you put all miscellaneous nothings aside and align your actions with one all-important focus: tremendous savings. Sure, the bulk of your effort will be expended on Black Friday (why else would you feast the day before?), with some impulse clicking for good measure on Cyber Monday, but don't neglect Microsoft's Thanksgiving Week of Xbox Live sales. After all, you're most thankful for your Xbox -- aren't you? After the break, we've posted the complete list of deals for the week (effective today through Monday, November 23). All sales are offered to both Xbox Live Gold and Sliver "Free" members. Also, check the promotion page on Xbox.com this Friday for additional, one-day savings, including 'Splosion Man for just two bucks. [Image credit: Steve Johnson]
Microsoft rolls out Windows Live Messenger for Zune HD
The Zune HD may not have seen quite the explosion of apps that many had hoped for, but it's just gotten a pretty big one: Windows Live Messenger. That will naturally give you much of the same functionality of its desktop counterpart (also receiving an update today), including the ability to keep watch on updates from various social networking sites, and even use Facebook Chat. It'll also display the music you have playing right in the app and, just like the desktop version, it's free. Look for it in the Zune Marketplace right now.
Microsoft expanding Zune internationally, Zune Pass coming to UK, France, Italy, and Spain
It's been years of waiting, but Microsoft is finally expanding the Zune service internationally -- a move that precedes the big Windows Phone 7 launch. Version 4.7 of the Zune software will be the desktop sync client for WP7 devices, and as such it'll be available in more than 20 countries. Don't get too excited, though -- Zune Marketplace is a much more complicated situation, since Microsoft has to hammer our agreements in every country, and it's not coming everywhere with every feature. Here's the breakdown: The Zune Pass subscription service will hit the UK, France, Italy and Spain, offering unlimited streaming for £8.99 / €9.99 per month but no ability to keep 10 tracks a month as with the $14.99 US service. Music purchases will arrive in the UK, France, Italy, Spain, and Germany, and the format will be unencumbered MP3. Video purchases will come to the UK, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with playback support across the PC, Xbox Live, and Windows Phone 7. Video rentals will hit the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Mexico, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and can be synced to the PC, Xbox Live, and Windows Phone 7. Yep, it's a little complicated unless you live in the UK or France, but we're sure Redmond's working furiously to wrap up all the deals it can. We're also a little bummed that international Zune Pass subscribers won't be able to keep 10 tracks a month, but hey -- there's a reason why America is awesome, and it's not just football. Full PR after the break.
