Microsoft retiring Zune and Windows Live branding in Windows 8

MS says bye-bye to Zune and Windows Live

Though they had a skilful run, information technology appears Microsoft's Zune and Windows Live brands are going the mode of the Dodo. The Windows viii Consumer Preview shows that the Windows Live group of applications have been replaced by a pre-installed "Windows Communications" group. "Windows Live ID," the electric current all-in-ane login for Microsoft services, will be replaced with the generic "Microsoft Account." [Edit: Information technology's actually called "Microsoft Your Account", meet below] The "Zune" name is also glaringly absent-minded in the Windows Shop and in relation to music and motion picture apps. Zune Laissez passer, nevertheless, still works.

The new multimedia branding in Windows 8 will be called "Xbox Alive for Windows" and will include apps for music, movies and games. Rumor is that Zune volition officially be gone by the summer, and may even be replaced by a music service that resembles Spotify via Xbox Alive. Throw in the demise of the Zune desktop client for Windows Phone, and voila!, cheerio-bye Zune.

Microsoft Your Account

The overall simplification of Microsoft's branding goes like this:

Windows Live ID --> Microsoft Business relationship
Windows Live Mail --> Mail
Windows Alive Calendar --> Agenda
Windows Live Contacts --> People
Windows Live Photo Gallery --> Photos
Zune Music Thespian --> Music
Zune Video Player --> Videos

Source: TheVerge, Caput to WithinWindows for more images of 'Your Account' as seen higher up

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