Currently you can get a Zune pass monthly for $14.99, 3 months for $44.97, and yearly for $149.90. I just recieved an email from Zune stating:
"We want to let you know about important changes that are coming to Zune® Music Pass in the United States.
On October 3, we will be discontinuing the $14.99 Zune Music Pass plan and introducing a new version of Zune Music Pass. After October 3, the $14.99 plan will not be available to new subscribers. However, because you are a current subscriber, you can stay on your existing Zune Music Pass plan if you choose.
The new plan, like your current plan, will provide access to more than 14 million songs on your Xbox 360®, Windows® Phone, PC, or through the web. Unlike your current plan, it will not include 10 MP3s to keep each month."
So the difference is they are no longer going to offer a monthly plan that has both 10 free mp3 songs and streaming. I kinda liked the monthly plan but at the same time I was already thinking about going to a yearly plan because it is cheaper (overall) in the end.
Discussion about
Zune Pass to start a streaming only option @ 9.99
I never signed up for the Zune pass, though I had the 14 day free trial. It was nice, but I already had a ton of music to listen to and I never really got much out of the social/discovery features out of any service in general.
I've actually been using my Zune as a podcast player first, music second. I'm enjoying my free Spotify account at the moment for all my music needs when at the computer. Maybe if Microsoft offered the Zune software on Mac and had some sort of free service like Spotify, I'd go back.
I've actually been using my Zune as a podcast player first, music second. I'm enjoying my free Spotify account at the moment for all my music needs when at the computer. Maybe if Microsoft offered the Zune software on Mac and had some sort of free service like Spotify, I'd go back.
Since even Spotify depends on paying customers to make money, I would imagine that with your wishes, Microsoft doesn't want you as a customer.
The free version of Spotify is supported through ads, which I'm perfectly fine with. If Microsoft wants their music service to stay relevant, they need to start figuring out how to monetize from users like me who really don't care enough to buy new music, but are willing to occasionally listen to music for free with limitations. If you think paying for the subscription is worthwhile, that's super, but it's not worth it to me since I don't listen to that much new music that I don't already have.
The distinction is: "The free version is partially subsidised by ads". It doesn't make money for Spotify, which is why they've made constant changes to the service to limit people who listen with ads. Microsoft would be relying on exactly the same revenue stream as it does now to actually make money from the service.
Only time will tell if Spotify's "freemium" business is actually sustainable. Maybe they can convert enough paying subscribers to make it work? If Spotify fails or eliminates the free accounts it's no skin off my back because, again, I don't get much value out of the subscription services out there.
We only got the 9.99 equivalent service on this side of the Atlantic since WP7 released.
What I actually want would be the 14.99 service over here (and lose the 4-device limit we seem to have been saddled with).
What I actually want would be the 14.99 service over here (and lose the 4-device limit we seem to have been saddled with).
