Microsoft's Zune switched off, Xbox music now online

Microsoft finally pulled the plug this week on its Zune brand, replacing it with "Xbox Music," even as the launch of its Windows 8 operating system draws closer.   Visitors to the Zune website (www.zune.net) were redirected to Microsoft's Xbox site notifying them that "Zune Music is now Xbox Music!"   "With the launch of the new Xbox Music service, the Zune.net web site has been turned off and content has been moved to Xbox.com," read an article explaining what will happen to users of the now-defunct service and its hardware.   Support for Zune devices can be accessed in the Zune support section on xbox.com, it added.   Zune Music pass subscribers were also informed their account details will now show up as Xbox Music Pass.   Windows 8 push   On the other hand, Microsoft said the Zune Music Marketplace will no longer be available on the web but will remain available on one's PC, Windows Phone, and Xbox 360.   A catch of sorts, however, is that this will be optimized for Windows 8, which becomes available on the last week of October.   "Your Xbox Music Pass will work with the Zune PC Software, however, the best experience for your music subscription will be on Windows 8 PC's and tablets, Windows Phone 8 devices, and Xbox 360," Microsoft said.   It added an Xbox Music Pass will work on Windows 7 PC's and Windows Phone 7, but enhanced features and full benefits can be accessed via Windows 8 PC's and tablets, and Windows Phone 8, it added.   A separate article on Windows Phone Central said Microsoft did not have much luck competing with Apple's iPod.   "(B)ut the devices and the eat as much as you like music service was much loved by those in the know. The Zune service, while innovative at the time, failed to keep pace with the rest and fell behind in features and content. Microsoft have been tidying up their often confusing branding and now entertainment products are going to get the Xbox name," it said. — ELR, GMA News