Microsoft Music Provider Dies: So Long Zune

By Staff Writer

Nov 18 2015, 04:59 AM EST

Microsoft has pulled the plug on its music service, Zune Music, after it failed to capture the hearts of music lovers.

The Zune music service was discontinued last Sunday, and users can no longer stream content from the service beginning this week, says Herald Recorder. As a substitute, Microsoft is now convincing people to move to Groove Music, which offers a three month free trial period.

BBC News reminded insiders of the time Zune was launched back in 2006 to rival the Apple iPod and iTunes. The devices was lauded as the "iPod Killer" by many analysts before the launch, but it never lived up to those expectations. Moreover, the music hardware never clicked thus Microsoft stopped developing the players in 2011 to focus more time and energy toward the development of Windows Phones.

The service is now shut down, any remaining Zune players will still work as an MP3 and audio player, but online streaming will no longer be available. The remaining minority of Zune subscribers will be switched over to Groove starting this week, says International Business Times.

Groove Music, Microsoft's new attempt to enter into the music streaming industry, allows music streaming online through PC, Xbox, Google Android, Apple iOS and Windows Phone.

In other related news, Groove music has recently received an update to its user experience along with a frenzy of Windows application updates that Outlook Calendar and Mail, Movies & TV, and Photos also benefitted from. Ellen Kilbourne of Groove Music and Movies and TV Apps, made the announcement via a tweet that the update will be available for both desktop and mobile.

For desktop users, updates (version 3.6.1513.0) to be expected include: