Grab and backup your Zune HD apps today, Microsoft changing services
I have been a vocal advocate for the Zune HD, check my list of links below for related articles, and thus I was disappointed to receive the email you see below that informed me of several features that will no longer be available for the Zune. The one that has the biggest impact for me is the loss of Apps for the Zune HD.Thanks to Grahm Skee's Twitter post I found where the Zune HD apps are stored and now have all of them archived in case I need to get them back on my Zune HD in the future.
The Zune HD is a fabulous device and should have been a success for Microsoft. I think a lack of marketing and too much focus on comparing it to the iPod touch killed it. If you look at the Zune HD by itself, including the compelling subscription feature that it turns out people do actually want (look at success of Spotify and Rdio today), then it is easy to see it is a great device and service.
Songs that you purchased, streaming and downloading as a part of the Zune Music Pass and ability to use your Zune HD will not change. Other than apps, most of the changes deal with music videos, which I never used. Here is the list of features that will no longer be available:
- Sending and receiving messages, inviting friends, sharing the songs, playlists, and albums you are listening to, and viewing past play history
- Mixview playback and channel playlists
- Apps for Zune HD
- Purchasing music videos or streaming them as a part of Zune Music Pass from the Zune PC software
- Re-downloading, re-activating, or re-licensing previously purchased music videos if / when you upgrade your PC
If you have a Zune HD then I recommend you grab all the apps you can and then visit c:/users/[username]/appdata/local/microsoft/zune/applications on your computer to archive the Zune apps (appear as .zcp files).
Related ZDNet posts
- Hands on: 32GB Zune HD walk around and first impressions
- Zune HD firmware 4.3 adds predictive text and desktop mode
- Hands-on: Twitter comes to the Zune HD, Facebook should be next
- Microsoft finally shows why the Zune stands out against the iPod
- Thanks Microsoft, I will now subscribe to the Zune Pass
- Hands-on video with Facebook on the Zune HD
- Zune HD games, sponsored by the Kia Soul
- What do you want to know about the Zune HD?
- Review: Zune HD & AV dock and Zune Premium Car Pack
- Goodbye Zune, hello Xbox Music