Microsoft sounds final death knell for Zune music streaming service

Four years after discontinuing Zune devices meant to compete with Apple's iPods, the tech company announced it would shift focus to Groove music player

Alas, poor Zune: Microsoft's long-doomed answer to the iPod has finally given up the ghost, according to a quiet and brief eulogy posted on Microsoft's support pages on Sunday. While the company will still allow the remaining Zune-enabled devices to function, it won't be possible to stream or download music to them anymore.

"As of November 15, 2015, Zune services will be retired," said the post. "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."