Pour one out
Microsoft drops technical support for older products on community forums
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Microsoft is turning out the light on official technical support for several of its older products on its community forums.
Microsoft Zune
Blast from the past
Zune, of all things, will play a big role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
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Its days of being the best MP3 player money can buy (take that, iPod!) may be over, but it turns out Microsoft’s Zune still has an important role to play.
So long. Farewell. Auf Wiedersehem.
Zune services end today
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As previously announced, today is the final day for Microsoft's Zune online services, as the company completes the transition to its new Groove Music service.
Farewell, Sweet Prince
Microsoft to retire Zune services on November 15
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Microsoft has begun alerting Zune Music Pass subscribers to the service's impending transition to Groove Music Pass on November 15, publishing a support document on what to expect in the process.
Full screen artist visualizations return to Xbox Music on Windows 8
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Last week we announced a minor update that was pushed for Xbox Music on Widows 8.1. The update had seemed to simply include a variety of bug fixes and performance tweaks, but a member from our forums has pointed out that the update has brought back a feature that had been previously taken out in a past update – full screen artist visualizations. User John Balacano has pointed out the...
Kickback this weekend with some nostalgic Zune tunes
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Remember Microsoft’s Zune line of multimedia players? I haven’t forgotten, and to this day, the Zune 120 GB Black "Brick" remains as one of my favorite pieces of hardware from the past. To help everyone relax, while bringing back some Microsoft nostalgia, below is a short video list of some of the rocking (and mellow) tunes used in the original commercials. The playlist includes the...
Purchased video content won’t work on Windows Phone 7 after February 2014
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The desktop Zune client could easily go down as one of the greatest desktop applications of all time. It was loved by many for its modern interface, features, and operability with Windows Phone 7. Unfortunately, Microsoft decided to unify its entertainment offerings under the Xbox branding, which is why we now have Xbox Music and Xbox Video. Zune still lives though, it’s essential to...
Microsoft clarifies what’s new with Xbox Music in GDR2: fixed cloud collection and more
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GDR2 is slowly rolling out to Windows Phone 8 handsets around the globe. Some devices, like the Lumia 925 and 1020, already come with GDR2 preinstalled. For everyone else, the updates are slowly coming. We’ve always had a pretty good idea of what’s new in GDR2, but some items were slightly vague. For example we knew Microsoft made "improvements to Xbox Music", but didn’t know exactly...
Zune Marketplace will no longer support rental and purchases; Zune Pass holders still okay
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Microsoft is continuing their phased closure of the Zune Marketplace, which has been replaced with Xbox Music and Video. The latest change involves users not being able to purchase music or video through the service starting as early as August 22nd. For that reason, Microsoft is encouraging you to spend any Microsoft Point balances before that date. The move appears to be a combination...
Microsoft Memories - a look back, at the past of Redmond technology
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Sometimes technology is a collection of circuitry and silicon, sometimes though – it is a magical moment full of feelings and memories. The best experiences are born when technology transcends our knowledge and connects us with what we love. British science fiction writer and futurist, Arthur C. Clarke, once said: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic...
Microsoft formally introduces the Xbox Music Pass
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Microsoft has fired out an email introducing consumers to the Xbox Music Pass, which was previously branded the Zune Pass. The subscription model opens up an impressive catalogue of music that's available for streaming, download and purchase (should one wish to cancel the subscription but retain music tracks). We've previously expected the company to launch the rebranded streaming...
Quick tip for Xbox Music on Windows Phone 8
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This post started as a quick 30 second tutorial on how to make your music experience a bit better on your new device running Windows Phone 8. However, it kind of morphed into a bit of a rant about one aspect of Xbox Music. So sit back and read my thoughts and criticisms about the cloud collection or jump to the end for a quick tip that could save your sanity and help your wallet. The...
What you need to know if you’re upgrading from Windows Phone 7 to 8
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This guide is aimed at those who already have a previous generation Windows Phone handset but can also be worthwhile for those of you who are new to the platform. We’re going to cover what you need to know in order to ease the transition from old to new so you can get back to top speed and start enjoying your new device. When you first switch on your new handset it will talk you...
The lights go off at Zune.net as final pieces are put in place for Xbox Music
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As we move ever closer to the launch of Windows 8 we also near the relaunch of Microsoft’s music services. All traces of Zune branding are being replaced with the upcoming Xbox Music. On trying to go to www.zune.net we now get a re-direct to Xbox.com to be told that Zune Music is now Xbox Music. We’re going to miss that crazy pink and white website but it's had its time. Microsoft didn...
Microsoft gives Zune users update details plus 1,000 MS Points for Xbox Music launch
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If you’re a current Zune Pass subscriber, you may want to check your email. Microsoft has just sent out the Xbox Music update details for those who are using Zune Pass and what’s more, they’re throwing in a 1,000 MS Points to celebrate. Those points (worth $12.50 or an average album) can be used “on any of the music, video, or game content on Xbox LIVE”. (Wait, we’re still calling it...
Xbox Music set to officially start rolling out tomorrow
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Microsoft have now officially unveiled their new music service. Simply called Xbox Music, it's going to begin rolling out tomorrow. Designed to replace the Zune services of old, Xbox Music will bring with it new capabilities and eventual availability on other platforms in the coming year. We had already reported that Microsoft would be adding a free streaming aspect to the service,...
Lyrics updated to version 3.0, adds Music ID to your Windows Phone
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Lyrics for your Windows Phone was recently updated which added a few performance tweaks and Music ID. Lyrics is integrated with Zune to pull up not only the tracks in your music library but also the ability to list the lyrics as well. Lyrics by Musixmatch has a library of over 5.5 million officially licensed lyrics in eighteen languages. If the lyrics are in the library, Lyrics will...
How to set up playlists on Windows Phone using Windows and Mac
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Enjoying music collections while on the go is a breeze with Windows Phone. Simply synchronise selected media onto a device and either Zune or the Windows Phone Connector for Mac will do the rest. But what if you wanted to organise music into moods, easy-to-sync lists or to quickly extract favourite music? This is where playlists come in. Many make use of playlists in media players...
Zune Desktop features changed once again, App Marketplace not in sight
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If you've launched your Zune Desktop lately, you've probably seen the pop-up message alerting you that features have changed. When you re-launch Zune you will find that there is no longer a Zune HD marketplace listing. The only options available under the Zune Desktop Marketplace listing are Picks, Music, Videos and Podcasts. The option to view Apps, both Zune and the resurgent Windows...
Has the Windows Phone Marketplace returned to Zune Desktop?
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Back at the end of May, Microsoft surprisingly turned off the Windows Phone Marketplace from Zune Desktop. The “update” wasn’t software based but instead just altered a configuration file on the user’s computer, causing the Marketplace to be hidden. We ended up using a simple hack (more of that below) to bring ours back but now a user in our forum (“rockstarzzz”) is claiming that they’...