Microsoft axes streaming service Zune

Microsoft has finally admitted defeat and is retiring its music streaming and download platform Zune on November 15.

Zune Music Pass subscribers will be automatically handballed to Groove Music, formerly known as Xbox Music.

Users will no longer be able to download or stream music to the MP3 player from the Zune Marketplace or the Zune Music Pass subscription service. Zune hardware can still be used as a basic MP3 player but music protected by digital rights management may not play "if the license can't be renewed."

According to a statement from the company, “You will no longer be able to stream or download content to your device from the Zune music service. However, Zune devices will still function as music players and any MP3 content that you own on the Zune device will remain there. You’ll also be able to transfer music to and from your Zune player.

If you’re holding a Zune Misic Pass, this will be overrated to a Groove Music Pass subscription. Microsoft says the Groove Music pass is a new version of the Zune and Xbox music passes.

Annual and three-month subscribers may get partial refunds for unused time on their subs. But users will no longer be able to keep up to 10 free tracks per month, as they did with Zune Music Pass although Groove costs less.

Groove Music Pass has millions of streaming songs on demand, along with radio stations and the capacity to stream on OneDrive cloud storage.

Groove is available on Windows 10, Xbox One, Xbox 360, iOS, Android and through web browsers. Microsoft’s recent deal with Sonos means users can hear the music through whole-home speakers.

Zune was Microsoft’s failed attempt to give the Apple iPod a run for its money. In 2008 it revealed it had sold 2 million units. Apple was selling the same number of iPods a month.