Hasta La Gadget!

Users have the option to download or stream content purchased or rented through Microsoft’s Xbox Video service, however the app on Xbox One doesn’t allow users to download content. The option is missing on the console despite the fact that Xbox 360 and Windows version of Xbox Video have the download option. It appears that users are only allowed to stream content on the Xbox One. This might prove to be a problem for users with slow connections, streaming videos will be a headache. However, the Xbox Video app on the new console will notify users to confirm payment for movies or shows if their networks aren’t “fast enough to stream the video.”

The folks at Neowin note that content purchased through the app on Xbox One does not display a disclaimer that is displayed on the Xbox 360 version of the app. The disclaimer tells the user for how long the license for the content lasts, as certain studios that provide the content limited the duration of a customer’s license. Videos exclusive to Xbox 360, which don’t play on any other device, don’t appear for users on the service’s app for Xbox One. Microsoft is yet to comment on why such differences exist in different versions of the same service’s app.

Xbox Video App On Xbox One Doesn’t Allow Downloads original content from Ubergizmo.

Microsoft today launched its Xbox Video service on the web, prior to launching the service’s app for Windows Phone devices. Just like the Xbox Video app for Windows 8.1, the web version will offer users access to TV shows and movies through video.xbox.com. The web version of Xbox Video looks quite like the Xbox Music’s web version. The service has actually been developed to replace Microsoft’s outdated Zune video service, which no longer allows customers to access media content.

Through the web version, users can stream TV shows and movies in the browser itself, though Microsoft’s Silverlight plug-in is going to be required. Content already purchased through the Windows 8.1 app or through Xbox One console will be available for streaming via the web version immediately. Users can also purchase content through Xbox Video on the web, the purchased content will then automatically and immediately become available for streaming through the Windows 8.1 app and Xbox One. While the service supports HD playback on both the console and Windows 8.1, unfortunately Xbox Video’s web version doesn’t support it. The Windows Phone app that is going to be launched soon will also not support HD quality playback. Microsoft was expected to launch the Windows Phone app alongside the web version, but it appears that the app isn’t ready for primetime just yet.

Xbox Video Launched On The Web, Windows Phone App Coming Soon original content from Ubergizmo.

Microsoft today released updates for Xbox Music and Xbox Video apps on Windows 8.1. The updated apps bring a number of improvements as well as new features. The updated Xbox Video app brings an improved layout, particularly for the section where it displays TV shows. It also comes with various “minor fixes,” and the app has also been improved for high resolution screens and portrait mode.

The Xbox Music app does what the name suggests, it lets users play and manage music from their personal collection or browse and purchase songs from the service. The updated Xbox Music app can now accept Microsoft Windows gift cards as a method of payment, Microsoft launched the gift cards only recently. Better support for when the app is being used in snap mode has also been added in this update. Xbox Music app’s left menu now displays a “now playing” list. Users can now simply start typing whenever the app is open launch a search. Playback controls are now always visible from inside the app, thus allowing users to play or pause a song with one tap or click. Furthermore, the share charm can now be used to share a web page inside the Xbox Music app. Both the Xbox Music and Xbox Video apps are now available for download from the Windows Store.

Xbox Music And Video Windows 8.1 Apps Updated original content from Ubergizmo.

It’s over, folks. Or at least nearly over. Write it down — time of death: 12:01AM ET, October 16. That’s when the Zune brand is officially no more, and “Xbox Music/Video” and its store replace the Zune Marketplace; the final, quiet end of a brand that’s been waning for years. “Yes, the Zune brand is gone, and the Zune products are gone,” Xbox Music GM Jerry Johnson told us in a meeting last week. While Zune devices will still work with Windows 7, and the Zune Pass simply becomes the Xbox Music Pass, the brand is effectively no more, joining the Kin and Microsoft Bob in the annals of MS history.

Bizarrely, the branding will continue on for Windows 7 and Windows Phone 7 users, with the Zune Marketplace mirroring Xbox Music’s content. That’s likely due to Xbox Music being exclusive to Windows 8 devices (which includes the Xbox 360, despite its age, and Windows Phone 8) — Microsoft promises a continued focus on Xbox Music going forward, while Zune support drops out. In the end, though Zune was a failure for Microsoft, Johnson said it was a worthwhile learning experience for the company. “The Zune brand got associated with a device, and what we did with Xbox Music is actually turn around and say, ‘Let’s build something from the ground up, leveraging what we’ve learned from a lot of these different things.’ But it’s not gonna be device-centric, it’s gonna be service-centric,” he explained.

In Johnson’s eyes, the failure of Zune as a brand is directly tied to the failure of Zune as a device — and having the highly successful Xbox brand tied to its media offerings, he’s hoping to skirt previous negative perceptions and relaunch Microsoft’s place in media delivery. Whether that’ll happen remains to be seen, but either way, this is the final nail in the Zune’s coffin — not just as a device, but as a thing in the world.

Update: Looks like Microsoft hasn’t forgotten the loyalty of the diehards who stayed with Zune until the end, as Zune Music Pass users are getting 1,000 Microsoft Points for free along with the switch to Xbox Music.

Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, Gaming, Tablets, Software, Mobile, Microsoft

With the launch of Xbox Music, Zune is truly no more (update: Zune Pass users get 1,000 Microsoft point parting gift) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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