Microsoft axing Zune Marketplace rentals and sales, recommends Xbox Video and Music

Posted on 18/08/2013 by Joe Pollicino

Coinciding with the impending abandonment of Microsoft Points, the ability to rent and purchase media from Zune Marketplace will also be hitting retirement come August 22nd. A recently-posted FAQ on the Xbox website details the changes, directing current users to hurry up and use their remaining points as they'll be worthless come that EOL date. For future service Microsoft is unsurprisingly pointing users to Xbox Music and Video, noting that the latter will also be accessible on Xbox One, Windows Phone 8 and browsers "later this year." Unlimited streaming will be accessible through the Xbox Music Pass as you'd expect, and your existing media will continue to function as normal. Better yet, OG Zune Music Pass subscribers will still be able to stream tunes and obtain their 10 free downloads per month. Consider it another inevitable nail in the Zune brand's coffin, while it lives on through Xbox.

Filed under: Gaming, Portable Audio/Video

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Via: The Verge

Source: Xbox.com

US pricing leaks for incoming Xbox Music service

Posted on 27/09/2012 by Mat Smith

Following those British-based leaks yesterday, a second mole has now offered us a glimpse at Xbox Music pricing across the Atlantic. It looks like the Zune successor will offer a longer 30-day free trial, alongside $10 per-month and $100 annual subscriptions. Surprise -- looks like Americans are getting a better deal.

Filed under: Gaming, Portable Audio/Video

US pricing leaks for incoming Xbox Music service originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 08:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dashboard beta leaks new Xbox Music Pass: Cloud playlists and early pricing revealed

Posted on 26/09/2012 by Mat Smith

Appearing soon after Zune's end, we've been sent these images of what Microsoft's likely to offer in Xbox Music. Matching those early rumors, it looks like some cloud-linked features will make an appearance in the form of synchronized playlists, while the service will offer a free half-month trial alongside paid subscriptions. Prices are currently set at £8.99 ($15) for a month, while £89.90 ($146) will offer a year's unlimited access to "millions" of tracks, to stream and download across Xbox, Windows, and Windows Phone. The system's UI seems to borrow its looks from Windows' ~~Metro~~ tile-based style, with a very similar keyboard that appears to be navigable from your Xbox controller. Take a tour of the gallery below and expect to hear more specifics ahead of the big Windows 8 launch next month.

[Thanks Anonymous]

Gallery: Xbox Music Pass leaked