Microsoft Music: Is Microsoft dropping Xbox branding from their music service?

Microsoft has been decorated rebranding and realigning many of their services over the last sixteen months. One of those that has yet been redefined is Xbox Music (and Xbox Video, for that thing). People have often criticized the branding because the name 'Xbox' implies that y'all need an Xbox 360 or Xbox One console for the service. Although this is non the case, this exclusionary inference may exist harming adoption of Microsoft'due south music offering.

Now, new evidence suggests that Microsoft may finally be dropping the 'Xbox' proper noun from the service. Instead, the more directly 'Microsoft Music' may be the new moniker.

Typo or hints of alter?

Signs of the proper name switch comes through the online Xbox Music web player. When a track is selected that is unavailable for online streaming (eastward.grand. Trent Reznor's 'Intriguing Possibilities'), the popup message mentions 'You can purchase this song on the Microsoft Music Shop.' This popup appears both in English and German language, as confirmed by i of our readers who tipped us on the news.

Although the popup message could exist only in fault, information technology seems oddly precise. Moreover, it makes sense for the company who wants to position their music streaming network equally platform-neutral and not tied to a gaming product. Nether the Ballmer era at Microsoft, the company tried to position Xbox as a general entertainment category. However, that strategy appears to have shifted.

Interestingly, the site www.microsoftmusic.com is held by MarkMonitor, a company that "lets any large enterprise protect a vital component of its brand and its business". In outcome, they human action on behalf of companies to protect their brands and we would not exist surprised if Microsoft is utilizing them (msft.cyberspace is noted in the listing). However, companies routinely buy and occupy domains that they may never utilize, either to protect their brands, prevent defoliation or for a later marketing strategy.

So it remains to be seen if Microsoft will truly rebrand Xbox Music. In Windows viii.ane, Windows Phone and Windows 10, the bodily apps are referred to only equally 'Music' and 'Video'. Too, the new unified Windows ten Store mentions simply 'Music' and 'Movies & Tv set' with no reference to Xbox at all. In effect, a distancing from Xbox has been in the piece of work for months already.

What practice y'all think? Should Microsoft drib Xbox from their Music and Video services and instead merely use their proper noun? Sound off in comments!

Thanks, Niko, for the tip!

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