Xbox Live & Zune services will be offline starting Monday

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We hope you weren't planning any all night Halo 3 fests for tonight, or needed to download any new music tomorrow, because in just a little over 4 short hours, both Xbox Live and Zune online services will be offline for possibly as long as two days.

Larry Hryb (AKA Major Nelson) earlier this week announced on his website that Microsoft will be taking the Xbox Live service offline starting at 12:01 AM PST and that it will be down for possibly 24 hours. In addition, Cesar Menendez announced over at Zune Insider that, beginning at the same time, Zune services will be down for possibly 48 hours.

Hryb and Mendendez have outlined that during this service disruption the following services will be offline. Xbox LIVE, the ‘My Xbox’ section of Xbox.com, Zune Social, the Zune Marketplace and both the Zune.net forums and the Xbox.com forums will be in read only mode.

While Hryb acknowledged that this maintenance window is in preparation for the new Xbox experience, it will not include that update or any other new features for users of either service. The Xbox Live and Zune’s online services are interconnected in many areas including some contact list & profile sharing as well as the "Microsoft Points" currency system.

The new Xbox Live experience is expected to be available later this fall. Is it possible that both systems will be down to further connect the two and that when the new experience is finally rolled out that Zune will take center stage on the platform?

Updated: One of the best ways (other than following Neowin) to keep track of this downtime is to follow Major Nelson on twitter. At last report, server work is "on schedule."

#1 stifler6478 on 29 Sep 2008 - 02:35

Further integration would be smart of them. The Zune is really a great device and the Zune Software is excellent. Pairing it up further with the Xbox 360 might get it into the spotlight a bit more

-Spenser

#2 +GreyWolfSC on 29 Sep 2008 - 03:09

I expect full integration between XBL, Zune Social AND Windows Live.

#3 IbSta on 29 Sep 2008 - 03:53

and I was all hyped thinking it was for the Fall Update

(1 reply) #4 Deathray on 29 Sep 2008 - 05:03

This must be a major upgrade/update coming if they have to take down those services for at least 24 hours to prepare/set them up

Here's hoping to being blown away when the updates for the users swing through

#4.1 bucko on 29 Sep 2008 - 08:20

Yes the New Dashboard Experience coming in apparently November, this is backend work you wont see anything different on the front end yet according to Major Nelson.

(2 replies) #5 Xerxes on 29 Sep 2008 - 05:32

The idea of extra integration between Zune and 360 sounds great and all....but when exactly will the rest of the world get the Zune?!? far as I know, it's only available in North America. I would of seriously considered getting one but I got an iPod instead cause the Zune is not sold here (Australia). Yeah I know I could of imported one, but doesn't that void the warranty, since your no longer in the country the warranty is valid in?

Last edited by Xerxes on 29 Sep 2008 - 05:37

#5.1 chaosblade on 29 Sep 2008 - 11:28

Odd, They are definitely sold here (Israel). Unless you mean the new Zune 120's and such, which i can't see yet, but we definitely have older devices available.

#5.2 GFree678 on 29 Sep 2008 - 14:01

(chaosblade said @ #5.1)

I also live in Australia and I've never seen a Zune here, anywhere. They're completely non-existent. What's taking Microsoft so long?

(1 reply) #6 bucko on 29 Sep 2008 - 08:19

24 hours for Xbox Live anyone know when it will end GMT?

I completed GTA4 ages ago but wouldn't mind doing a few side missions, what's the betting everyone's gamer card is going to be GTA4 as last played game or Single Player games collecting achievements

, personally I just like to complete the games. Least I have my PS3 to go online with as well

#6.1 Apple-a-Day on 29 Sep 2008 - 11:10

Hmmm mabey 12:01 tommorrow...?
Seems to be the typical 24 hr cycle

(1 reply) #7 smooth_criminal1990 on 29 Sep 2008 - 12:54

careful, someone might try sue again for the gaming downtime!

#7.1 +ispamforfood on 29 Sep 2008 - 15:03

I'd be more worried about people having mental breakdowns and/or committing suicide/homicide because they can't play their games.... Yes, it's that important to some people.

#8 Ambroos on 29 Sep 2008 - 15:28

I'm getting my Zune tomorrow, and I want to update it straigth awaaay >< Guess I'll have to wait!

#9 gabalicious on 29 Sep 2008 - 16:07

I think Zune will just get better with time with their updates like xbox 360...I can't wait till the release of windows mobile 7 (delayed again till 2010 and is feeling like vista) Hopefully the zune app they've included will be as compelling as using full fledged zune. Let me tell you what i am awaiting in the near future. I am definitely awaiting more integration with xbox, a yearly xbox live + zune subscription for $120 a year or less, zune for windows mobile 7, and i think that's it for now (maybe divx on the zune)

#10 Jester124 on 30 Sep 2008 - 07:11

woo hoo... Live is back up and running

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