Microsoft will finally end all support for the Zune on November 15th

[midian182]

In a move that has been coming for a quite a while, Microsoft has announced that it will finally be winding down the Zune music service on November 15th. The company said that from that date the few remaining Zune devices still being used won’t be able to stream or download any music from the service, and any content that was purchased with DRM may not play if the license can’t be renewed. Any existing MP3s on Zune devices will continue to work as usual.

Anyone with a subscription to Zune music’s monthly or 3-month passes will automatically have them converted to the Groove music service’s $9.99 monthly plan, along with yearly subscribers who will switch to the $99 per year Groove Music Pass. Those on 3-month or annual plans wishing to cancel their subscription before it ends may be entitled to a partial refund.

Zune was a line of MP3 players that Microsoft developed as a rival to the iPod. They were sold from 2006 until poor sales saw the devices finally discontinued in 2011. In 2012 the Zune music site began to automatically redirect users to Xbox Music, and in 2013 the Xbox Video service stopped supporting Zune devices. It’s not known exactly how many Zune players are still being used today.

One thing that was unique to the Zune lineup at the time was their unfortunately titled ‘Squirting’ feature, which let users transfer songs between devices using a Wi-Fi network. Unfortunately, record company restrictions forced Microsoft to limit the feature so that transferred songs could only be listened to three times within three days before erasing them.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/62142-microsoft-finally-end-all-support-zune-november-15th.html

 

[oranuro]

RIP Zune. One of the best portable media players I've ever owned.

PS,
A co-worker and I used to play the Texas Hold Em game over wi-fi when bored at work, even played against my supervisor. Good times they were, good times.

 

[Gopal Bhat]

From what I've heard they were great devices, just lacking the fundamental support which is what makes it viable really.

Shame they didn't release it in the UK/Europe. You know it's doomed when you exclude such a large target market.

 

[Mr Mister]

Could release a Lumia Groove variant with unlimited video and music for free; sell the hardware, Ad proceeds go back to the content providers minus licence fee instead of the other way around.

 

[STLDave]

I purchased a Zune Subscription via multiple Zune gift cards from Best Buy. This included annual and 3 month cards which put my account expiration thru December 2017. For the annual passes I paid about $149 and 3 month $40. Compared to other streaming services at the time price was almost double but I purchased because the subscription included 10 free downloads a month.

A few days ago I get an email saying Zune becomes groove and my 10 free downloads will no longer be available.

The email had a link to an FAQ.
This FAQ indicated annual subscriptions would be eligible for a refund. I called and after 4 hours of phone tossing, found person who told me their supervisor was aware of the issue but could not refund my money The supervisor asked the rep to escalate. He did the escalation form and told me I'd be contacted in a few days

Days later I get a response saying they will not refund my money and my zune pass will become a groove account. No more free downloads. In addition, Groove is $10 a month and Zune PAss with downloads was $15 month. I get to pay (well prepay) more for less!

This is completely unacceptable to me as I paid a large amount of money for a service which Microsoft ended. I equate it to Microsoft taking my annual 365 year subscription and randomly removing Word support. With the termination I should be entitled to a FULL REFUND. Microsoft - do the right thing!!