Microsoft has detailed some important changes that will be coming for the Zune Marketplace. The Zune Marketplace will no longer support rental and purchase of content and Microsoft is now transitioning to Xbox Music and Xbox Video as the company’s music and video stores.
Alongside the phasing out of Microsoft Points, the Zune Marketplace will also be phased out. “Starting as early as August 22nd Microsoft Points will be retired. As a result you will no longer be able to rent or buy TV, movie, or music content on Zune Marketplace. We encourage you to spend your points balance prior to this change,” Microsoft stated in a FAQ on the Xbox website.
You can still use your Zune (if you still have it) to enjoy music with your Xbox Music Pass, movies, and TV episodes from your personal collection. You can now rent or purchase movies and TV shows via Xbox Video on your Xbox 360, or your Windows 8 PC or tablet devices. Microsoft even adds that users can access Xbox Video on the upcoming Xbox One, Windows Phone 8, and any web browser.
Users can purchase music via the Xbox Music app on Windows 8 or through the marketplace on Windows Phone devices. Apparently, the original Zune Music Pass will not be affected, at least for now.
So there you have it, Microsoft is shifting towards Xbox Music and Xbox Video as its premiere music and video marketplace. Does anyone still have a Zune Music Pass these days?
