Microsoft likely to rebrand Xbox Music to Groove

It's still a mystery, but Microsoft may soon rebrand Xbox Music to Groove.

Xbox Music to Groove Music

Microsoft may be considering to rebrand Xbox Music, as the latest Phone Companion app update for Windows 10, refers the music streaming service as “Groove”. However, the company’s plan still a big mystery, as there is already a startup that makes a Groove music player for Windows and iOS devices, but surprisingly not for Android.

The information at this time is very thin, the mention of Groove in the Phone Companion app could easily suggest that Microsoft could be rebranding Xbox Music to Groove, but it also could indicate that the company is purchasing the app, or even something bigger.

The Phone Companion app also refers the Xbox Music Pass as Groove Music Pass. You can see this reference in the screenshot above, “you can use the Groove app to listen to your entire collection on your PC or phone”, and “for access to millions of songs, unlimited streaming on all your devices, and no ads, check out Groove Music Pass.” And there is a “Groove Music Pass” that direct users to the Xbox Music Pass homepage.

Perhaps, the most interesting piece of information is that it seems that the software giant is getting rid of the Xbox Music branding, after the company’s various attempts throughout the years to make the Xbox brand part of entertainment, it has never really catch on.

In addition, Microsoft already owns the name “Groove”, as such it’s likely that company will reuse the name as it did with the “Surface” name.

If the software giant chooses to rebrand, it’ll be interesting to see how everything works out, as a company called Zekira already makes a music player under the “Groove” name, and if Microsoft doesn’t buy them out, there could be a potential legal conflict between the two companies.

Source Thurrott

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.