Popular open source Alternatives to Zune Software for Windows, Linux, Mac, BSD, Web and more. Explore 18 apps like Zune Software, all suggested and ranked by the AlternativeTo user community. Oct 03, 2012 Does anyone have any idea what Microsoft's plans are, as a follow-up to the Zune? We're at a decision point in all of this. We've both got quite a library of music we've invested in, so it would be better to stay with whatever will replace the Zune, if there is plans for any follow-up MP3, podcasts, video player that isn't a phone. Zune Software is a full media player application with a library, an interface to the Zune Marketplace, and as a media streaming server. It's a software for the Zune media player from Microsoft. Works as a stand alone media player also, managing music, movies, photos and podcasts. “Zune Marketplace.
Developer(s) | Microsoft |
---|---|
Final release | |
Operating system | Windows XP SP3 Windows Vista SP2 Windows 7 Windows 8/8.1[1] |
Type | Utility software |
License | Proprietary software |
Website | Zune software for your PC |
Zune is a discontinued media management software for Microsoft Windows[1] that functions as a full media player application with a library, an interface to the Zune Marketplace, and as a media streaming server.[2] The software is used to sync with all devices with Zune functionality including the Zune 4, 8, 16, 30, 80, 120, Zune HD, Windows Phone 7, and Microsoft Kin. Zune devices work exclusively with the Zune software, which applies many design principles of Microsoft's Metro design language.
The software was discontinued on October 16, 2012[citation needed] and replaced with the Windows Phone App (available both as desktop app and Windows Store app versions) and subsequently the 'Phone Companion' App built into Windows 10 for PC, which is used for syncing with devices running Windows Phone 8 (including 8.1) and Windows 10 Mobile, respectively. The software's role as a music and video player and streaming service has been superseded by Groove Music and Microsoft Movies & TV.[3]
Zune online services were completely shut down on November 15, 2015,[4] but the Zune software is still available for download from the Windows Phone website for use with Windows Phone 7 and Zune devices, which do not work with the newer apps designed for Windows Phone 8/8.1/Windows 10 Mobile.[5]
- 1Content
- 2Zune Marketplace
Content[edit]
As a media player, the Zune software supports the following formats:
multimedia | supported formats |
---|---|
Audio | MP3, AAC (Low complexity), .mp4, .m4b, .mov, WMA (standard, pro, and lossless) |
Video | MPEG4 (in .mp4, .m4v and .mov containers), H.264 (in .mp4, .m4v and .mov containers), WMV, ASF, AVI (in .avi container) |
Images | JPEG |
The Zune software organizes the media in its library and allows users to add to the library by ripping from CDs, syncing with a Zune device, and downloading from the Zune Marketplace. The Zune software also allows one to organize song metadata. It can automatically download album art and metadata tag data for content in the library.
On the PC, the Zune software streams files to other PCs, the Xbox 360, and other compatible devices. The Zune software also connects with the Zune social and keeps track of files swapped with other users.
The Zune software runs only on 32-bit Windows XP or 32-bit/64-bit Windows Vista/Windows 7.[6] Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is not supported. The Zune software is also compatible with Windows 8 and Windows 10 so Zune device users would have continued legacy support on the new operating system, despite the Zune brand's phasing out before the 2012 release of the OS.
History[edit]
The 0.1 versions of the Zune software were a modified version of Windows Media Player 11 while versions since 2.0 are built independently with additional DirectShow decoders for AAC, MPEG-4 and H.264. The current version of the software is 4.08.2345, released on August 22, 2011. Several versions of the software have been released. As of October 16, 2012 Zune became Xbox Music.
Zune Marketplace[edit]
Zune Marketplace was an online store that offered music, podcasts, TV shows, movies, music videos, and mobile applications. Content could be viewed or purchased on Windows PCs with the Zune software installed, Zune devices, the Xbox 360, Windows Phone phones, or the Microsoft Kin phones.[7] Zune Music Marketplace has since been superseded by Xbox Music.
Music[edit]
Initially offering 2 million songs, the Zune Marketplace had grown to offer 14 million songs,[8] all of which were available in MP3 format at up to 320kbit/s and were DRM-free. Music on Zune Marketplace was offered by the big four music groups (EMI, Warner Music Group, Sony BMG and Universal Music Group), as well as smaller music labels.[8]
The home page of the Zune Marketplace shows featured music as selected by Microsoft, and the most popular music. Users can search, or filter by genres including rock, pop, dance, urban, and others.
Prior to Zune Marketplace's music becoming DRM-free, songs were protected by Windows Media DRM however the Zune Software only allowed WMDRM content from the Zune Marketplace to be transferred to Zune devices. Zune Marketplace DRM content could be played by other WMDRM compatible applications and devices.
Videos[edit]
Zune Marketplace offers television shows from the following companies: A&E, Anime, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CBS, Discovery Communications, E!, Fox, G4, GamerTV, History Channel, Marvel, MLB, NBC, Paley Center, PBS, Spike, Starz, SyFy, TNA, USA Network, and Viacom.
Movies from Paramount, Universal, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox and other studios are offered for purchase or time-limited rental. Some movies are available in HD. Selected content purchased via Zune Marketplace on the Xbox 360 additionally offers 5.1 surround sound.[9]
Music videos were also offered for purchase. Zune Video Marketplace has been superseded by Xbox Video.
Applications[edit]
Zune Marketplace included an applications section where apps and games could be downloaded for the Zune HD. The store initially launched with nine apps, all of which were developed by Microsoft and released for free. The selection of apps expanded to sixty-two games and applications over two years. Apps that were available included several games, Facebook, Twitter, and Windows Live Messenger. Applications are also available from various independent developers made using XNA Game Studio or OpenZDK, which use C# and C++ respectively. On August 31, 2012, the apps sections of the Zune Marketplace and users' media collections were disabled within the software.
The Zune software also allowed users to browse, purchase, and install Windows Phone apps from Windows Phone Marketplace.
International availability[edit]
Zune Marketplace was originally only available in the United States. In October 2010, certain Zune Marketplace content became available in additional countries in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australasia. The following table shows content availability by country:[10]
Content | Countries |
---|---|
Music | United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Canada, Australia |
Zune Music Pass | United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Canada, Australia |
Podcasts | United States |
TV | United States, Canada |
Movie Rental | United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland |
Movie Purchase | United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland |
Applications | United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan |
It has been discovered that there are a number of workarounds for accessing the Zune Pass and other Zune Marketplace capabilities outside of the countries where it has been launched.
Platforms[edit]
The Zune software for Windows PCs offers the entire selection of music, podcasts, videos, and applications. The Xbox 360 offers movie and music video downloads, as well as Zune Pass streaming. Zune devices, Windows Phone devices and the Microsoft Kin phones permit the download and streaming of music; Windows Phone devices additionally allow the download of applications.
Pricing[edit]
Purchases are made in the Microsoft Points currency, which can also be used to purchase content from Xbox Live and Games for Windows Live marketplaces. The exchange rate is one United States dollar to 80 Microsoft points. Most music tracks are priced at 79 points or 99 points.[citation needed] This works out to US$0.9875 or US$1.24 per song.
Zune Music Pass[edit]
Zune Music Pass is a music subscription service, which allows subscribers to download an unlimited number of songs for as long as their subscription is active. The songs can be played on up to 3 Windows PCs and on up to 3 other Zune-compatible devices, but cannot be burned to an audio CD. Songs downloaded using Zune Pass are provided in WMA format at 192kbit/s and are restricted by DRM. Zune Music Pass subscribers in the United States and other select countries were permitted to keep 10 songs per month even after their subscription ended, however the incentive was ultimately discontinued.[11][12] On October 3, 2011, the Zune Music Pass price was lowered to $9.99/month, and the 10 song credit was removed.[13] On October 15, 2012, Microsoft re-branded Zune as Xbox Music on the Xbox 360 with the promise of a complete rollout on October 26.[14]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ abThurrott, Paul (June 11, 2012). 'Windows 8 Tip: Syncing a Windows Phone or Zune Device'. SuperSite for Windows. Penton. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
- ^'Media Sharing FAQ'. Zune. Microsoft. Archived from the original on April 12, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2008.
- ^Gilbert, Ben (October 15, 2012). 'With the launch of Xbox Music, Zune is truly no more'. Engadget. AOL.
- ^'Zune retirement FAQ'. Support. Microsoft. October 20, 2015. Archived from the original on November 22, 2015.
- ^'Zune software for your PC'. Windows Phone. Microsoft. Archived from the original on September 26, 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
- ^Dhiman, Viney (March 3, 2014). 'Zune Software Computer System Requirement'. Nerd's magazine.
- ^'Zune Marketplace'. Zune. Microsoft. Archived from the original on April 12, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
- ^ abStroh, Michael (September 29, 2011). 'Zune expands to Canada, drops Zune Pass price in US'. The Windows Blog. Microsoft. Archived from the original on February 2, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
- ^'More films, faster with Zune'. Xbox. Microsoft. Archived from the original on June 11, 2009.
- ^'Zune to Expand Multiscreen Entertainment Services Into International Markets'. News Center. Microsoft. September 20, 2010.
- ^Farivar, Cyrus (September 14, 2006). 'Zune Marketplace To Keep Your Zune Player Happy'. Engadget. AOL.
- ^'Zune Pass'. Zune. Microsoft. Archived from the original on April 12, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
- ^Melanson, Donald (September 29, 2011). 'Microsoft announces new $10 Zune Music Pass, expands service to Canada'. Engadget. AOL.
- ^Gilbert, Ben (October 15, 2012). 'Xbox Music heads to Xbox 360 first tomorrow, PC / tablets on Oct. 26, WP8 soon after; we go hands-on'. Engadget. AOL.
External links[edit]
- Official website[Dead Link]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zune_software&oldid=916426571'
It's been an unnecessarily slow, cruel death for Zune. Microsoft's music service—which lets Zune hardware users stream and download tracks—was left to wither on the vine and quietly die. Redmond made it official Wednesday, quietly announcing the Zune is no more and leaving the few people still using the damn thing wondering where they go from here.
To the iPod, of course. Or the Pono. No. Probably not the Pono. Wherever they go, the bigger question is how do those few Zune diehards pick up the pieces?
Although Microsoft will 'retire' Zune services on Nov. 15, the company says Zune devices will still work, and anything saved to them will be playable. You'll also be able to transfer music to and from your Zune. But you won't be able to stream or download songs from the Zune service. Microsoft is turning off the spigot.
Of course, DRM content 'may not play if the license can't be renewed,' Microsoft says, and any Zune Music Pass subscriptions still out there will be converted to Groove Music Pass subscriptions. That's the new version of the Zune/Xbox Music Pass, and it doesn't include the 10 free songs you got each month from Zune. Should you decide to just ¯_(ツ)_/¯ at all of this, your Zune account will automatically upgrade to a Groove Music Pass account, which costs $10 a month and gives you access to 40 million songs. Of course, just how all of this unfolds depends upon your Zune account, and for the five or six of you reading this who might have one, Microsoft explains it all on its support page.
It's worth repeating that copyrighted music you've downloaded with Zune may not play with Groove if the licenses didn't renew, which is a very real possibility. And it's worth noting that although your Zune will continue playing all of your old music, anything you stream or download from Groove won't play on your Zune.
There are rumblings that some Zune power users might make an open source Zune client replacement. Assuming this actually happens, such a client almost certainly would do only the simplest of tasks, allowing you to manage what's already on your Zune and nothing more. And that depends upon Microsoft making the data accessible. Perhaps that small beacon of hope is enough for you to hold onto the device.
If you're finally ready to surrender your Zune and go with an iDevice, then connect your Zune to your computer and import everything into iTunes. You can also head to your 'My Music' folder and add files to iTunes from here (usually found here: C > Users > MyName > Music or C > Documents and Settings > MyName > My Documents > My Music). Only the music you paid for or used music credits to obtain will be allowed in, of course. Android and other devices are a bit messier, but essentially the same process.
Zune Software For Mac Download
In these dark times, you might find comfort knowing 15 people are watching a Zune 30 GB on eBay right now. You are not alone. And hey, you could have done this.