Microsoft remembers they have a music player on Android, discontinues it

About 6 months ago Microsoft finally killed off Groove Music Pass, and with that the most important feature of their Groove Music App.

It was therefore quite a surprise when today Microsoft pushed out an update for the Groove Music app, taking it to version 12.0529.1719.   The update only brings bug fixes, but given that the app is severely reduced in functionality, only really able to play music from your OneDrive, even a maintenance update is unexpected.

In the Google Play store the app, unironically, suggests “Groove brings you all the music you love, every way you want it.”

The following features are supported:

• Add your MP3s to OneDrive and play them wherever you go
• Download playlists, albums, and songs from OneDrive to enjoy your favourites even when you’re off the grid
• See at a glance what’s available where (online, offline, both)
• Add songs, albums, and playlists to your Groove music collection and access them from your phone, Xbox, PC, and the web

I suspect something more may be afoot, with Microsoft possibly looking to bring Timeline support to the app, adding another element to the web of Microsoft applications and services tying Windows 10 and iOS and Android together.

Update: On the other hand, Microsoft may have other plans…

Microsoft plans to retire the Groove Music apps on iOS and Android effective 01 December 2018. https://t.co/i3oFrIWCsA

— Richard Hay (@WinObs) May 31, 2018

Update 2: A Microsoft FAQ makes it clear the Groove apps are being discontinued on iOS and Android tomorrow.

What’s happening to Groove Music on iOS and Android?

As of June 1, 2018, the Groove Music iOS and Android apps are no longer available for download from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. On December 1, 2018, the Groove Music iOS and Android apps will be retired. After that date the apps won’t work and should be uninstalled.

If you still have a large collection of MP3s and therefore see little reason to subscribe to a streaming music service, the app could have been perfectly adequate to access your collection on the go.  However after tomorrow it will be a collectors item. Find it in the Google Play Store here.

[appbox googleplay com.microsoft.xboxmusic]