Microsoft will slowly remove Zune pc software and the ability to buy Windows apps through this software(Image: via 1800pocketpc.com)

Microsoft is slowly removing its Zune PC software support for app store access. Eventually, one can no longer use the Zune software to buy phone apps from Windows. Aside from that, all users of Windows Phones are now required to use the latest Windows Phone 7.5 operating system.

According to Mazhar Mohammed of Microsoft, “as a general rule, we like to focus our engineering efforts where they matter most, and your taps and clicks tell us that’s our phone and web stores. So starting today we began the process of removing the Windows Phone apps option from the Zune software.”

Mohammed adds, “If you don’t update to Windows Phone 7.5, you’ll still be able to browse Marketplace. But you’ll get an error message if you try to install an app or game, or update one already on your phone.”

The Windows Phone 7.5 update comes with new features, including automatic cloud syncing, Facebook chat, multitasking, custom ring tones, battery saver, visual voice mail, better media messaging, and threads.

The Windows Phone OS and Windows app store are made to compete against Apple’s iTunes and iPhone. Windows has invested heavily on these two, but has a hard time convincing app developers to make apps for smart mobile devices with relatively few users. In fact, Windows App store has around 80,000 apps, compared to Apple iTunes’ 500,000 apps, available for download.

About Neal Alfie Lasta

I enjoy learning and writing about social media and the latest in mobile updates.