Earlier this month, Microsoft announced plans to end Xbox Video support for Windows Phone 7 handsets, Zune devices and for the Zune Desktop software from February 2014. The company assured customers that purchased video content would still be accessible on the Xbox 360 and via XboxVideo.com.
At the time, however, that website didn"t exist, but as The Verge spotted today, a new Xbox Video site has now launched. The site can be accessed via XboxVideo.com, which redirects to video.xbox.com, where you will find a layout that closely mirrors that of the Xbox Music app on Windows 8.1.
You can purchase videos via the site, and either stream the content in the browser (using Silverlight!), or watch it on your Xbox One or Windows 8.1 device. You can also purchase content via the Xbox Video app on Windows 8.1 or Xbox One, and it will be available to stream via the site.
At this time, the web version does not yet support HD streaming, so if that"s a dealbreaker for you, you"ll have to stick with watching purchased videos on your Xbox One or Windows 8.1 PC for now.
The site also states that an Xbox Video app for Windows Phone will, at long last, be launching "shortly", but that it too will exclude HD video support, which will no doubt be a disappointment for those with higher-end devices such as the Lumia 1020, or the larger Lumia 1520 with its 1080p display, which is launching next week in the UK.
Via: The Verge