Microsoft’s Zune may well be remembered as failure to take on the iPod but it also introduced many concepts we still use today like the Windows Phone style UI and a music pass subscription. There are a few users still using the Zune Music Pass and Microsoft have started notifying users that they will be transitioned to Groove Music Pass. With a Groove Music Pass you will be able to stream music to Windows and Windows Phone devices but you will not be able to stream or download music to your Zune so you will only be able to listen to music from your own music collection and DRMed content will no longer play after a period of time.
It isn’t supprising that Microsoft are making the transition andI know some people will miss the old service, the Zune HD was one of my favourite devices but it is now sat on my shelf of curiosities now along with a ZX Spectrum, a UMPC and tablet PC.
As of November 15, 2015, Zune services will be retired. You will no longer be able to stream or download content to your device from the Zune music service. However, Zune devices will still function as music players and any MP3 content that you own on the Zune device will remain there. You’ll also be able to transfer music to and from your Zune player.
Note Content that was purchased with DRM may not play if the license can’t be renewed.
Existing Zune Music Pass subscriptions will be converted to Groove Music Pass subscriptions.
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I still use my Zune 80GB in the car, one of the best devices I ever bought!
So what about the Zune desktop software and adding new music to your Zune device?