Yes! Zune is still a thing. But whatever is left of Microsoft’s old music vestige will be getting shut down on November 15th.

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.

Google Music is here, promising the magic of the cloud. Is it the perfect way to consume music digitally? Well, that's what they want us to believe.

See also: 3DTV; HD DVD; Nokia N8; Apple Hi-Fi; PSP Go aaaaand Rick Astley's sixth studio album, Portrait. [Reddit via TNW]

It's getting to be one of the more recycled rumors in tech: Microsoft is done with Zune hardware, but Zune software will live on, maybe rebranded, maybe not. This time it's Bloomberg's Dina Bass throwing her tweet into the ring, saying that we won't be seeing any more Zune hardware.

Microsoft points are the digital currency you use to buy Xbox and Zune content, and you can buy cards that are pre-loaded with points to enter in to your account. Problem? Just like with the iTunes gift cards, somebody discovered the algorithm Microsoft uses to generate valid codes, and loosed it onto the internet.

As much as I hate to say it, the Zune is more or less dead. It's been a year and a half since we've seen a redesign, and though Zune hardware has always been quality, Microsoft seems to have refocused their handheld efforts behind WP7 (with rumors of an Xbox-branded device). But there's also Microsoft's Zune…

Microsoft's Zune media player never really caught fire, or generated much heat at all. And while Microsoft appears committed to Zune's services and features, ZDNet speculates that Zune as we know it isn't long for this world.

Windows Phone 7 could be amazing. It's not, yet. Right now, it's a good start. This is what's broken, and what Microsoft has to do to make it truly awesome.