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 users who are still on Windows Phone 7.x or those hanging onto their legacy Zune devices. Sadly, video won’t work after February of 2014.
Emails are going out to customers that don’t bode well for anyone hanging onto some old Zune devices. Here’s what it says:
“This email is to notify you that in late February, 2014, Xbox will be making an update to our video catalog. This update will allow us to more quickly and efficiently add the highest quality video content to the Xbox Video service.As a result, beginning in late February 2014, any Xbox Video content you own as of then, will no longer be playable through the Zune PC client, Zune devices, or Windows Phone 7 devices. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”
That’s a big bummer if you regularly used your device for video. They go onto to say in the email that you can enjoy your video content at through your browser, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Windows 8 and 8.1 PC, and Windows Phone. Hopefully we’ll be seeing Xbox Video on Windows Phone before late February.
Earlier this summer, Microsoft phased out rental support for the Zune Marketplace.
Does this impact you?
Thanks for the tip Zack W!
Source: Microsoft
