The Verge reports that Microsoft Zune and Windows Live apps will not be included in the upcoming preview of Windows 8—at least not the way we're used to seeing them. Though the brands and apps will be gone, their functionality will be included in other parts of the OS.

Microsoft is reportedly looking to improve its less-than-stellar track record when it comes to digital music. Having already scrapped its Zune player and Urge service, the software giant could be contemplating rebuilding the Zune Music Pass program as a new, Spotify-style service by year's end.

The Zune was a really good media player that should have been a success. Except it was always late to the party. A party full of white earbud wearers who left the Zune to die alone.

Looks like the Zune player's Samuel-Clemens-greatly-exaggerated demise yesterday was, well, not so greatly exaggerated. The new official word from Microsoft is that it will "no longer be producing Zune players."

Something's conspicuously missing from the Zune's website: The Zune. Zune Music Pass and software for Windows and phones remains, but the oft (and unfairly) maligned MP3 player itself has vanished. Is the Zune officially dead? Update: No.

Hoping to remind everyone that they have a subscription service just like Spotify and Rdio, Microsoft's updated their Zune Pass subscription model. Too bad they destroyed the best thing about it.

It's a shame that the Zune HD died so young. It had so much potential. But life goes HEY LOOK! Microsoft just released 9 new Zune HD apps. For some reason... Should we stop mourning now?

The federal government is just like you and me. Except it can legally kill people, and, instead of spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on gadgets, it spends millions. Think you buy a lot of Apple gear? Not even close.

The bits of Mango Microsoft showed off last week were just a small slice, so they're slowly trickling out other new features—and this is what's new in Music + Video, which sounds mucho improved.