Microsoft may 'kill off' Zune, Windows Live

As it prepares to release its consumer preview release of Windows 8, Microsoft may "kill" two of its consumer brands and integrate them into its upcoming flagship operating system, a tech site reported.

 

Tech site The Verge said "Windows Live" and "Zune" will be dropped and their functions integrated into other aspects of Windows 8.

 

"Whether Windows Live and Zune are fully killed off by the end of the year remains to be seen, but Windows 8 is clearly taking the first big steps toward the inevitable," it said.

 

It said "Windows Live" will be rolled into preinstalled apps at the core of "Windows Communications" in Windows 8.

 

The Windows Live ID will be replaced by "Microsoft Account" in Windows 8, it added.

 

On the other hand, The Verge said it is still not clear at this time if "Zune" will be killed off totally.

 

For now, The Verge said Microsoft has removed traces of Zune from its Windows Store, Music, and Video applications, although Zune Pass functionality remains.

 

It also noted Microsoft's Xbox team is handling the creation and management of the Metro style Video and Music applications within Windows 8.

 

Also, it cited earlier reports that Windows 8 will move to "Xbox Live for Windows" as the entertainment brand for Windows 8 Music, Video and Games shortly before its release.

 

"The debranding of Zune has already taken effect in the final Windows 8 Consumer Preview, but the full transition away from Zune will take place over the summer. The move away from Zune is part of a broad effort to simplify and consolidate the company's brands into a simple consumer message alongside Microsoft SkyDrive and Microsoft Hotmail," it said.

 

Branding changes

 

The Verge said the branding in Windows 8 may include the following changes:

 

 

Spotify-like service a Zune replacement?

 

The Verge cited reports that Microsoft may be replacing Zune with a Spotify-like service later this year based on Xbox Live.

 

It added the move to scrap the Zune desktop client for Windows Phone 8 further backs up the death of Zune as a brand. — TJD, GMA News