Microsoft's music service has been given a complete overhaul, introducing free streaming and downloadable tunes.
Xbox Music will be rolling out to Xbox 360 consoles as of tomorrow, and will be ready to use on Windows 8 when it goes live on 26 October. The service offers access to more than 30 million songs in Microsoft's catalogue.
Microsoft's own platforms -- including Windows 8, Windows 8 RT tablets and Windows Phone 8 smart phones -- will be first in line to get access to the new service, though the PowerPoint-producing company promises that Xbox Music will "become available on other platforms in the coming year." That likely means Android and iOS gadgets will get a dedicated app in 2013.
A scan-and-match feature is also coming next year. Like Apple's iTunes Match service, this tool will add the music you own to your Xbox Music catalogue.
Unfortunately the new service will not be available on devices running Windows 7 and Windows Phone 7. Users will however still be able to continue using Zune, which has access to the same catalogue of artists and tracks as Xbox Music.
The service is set up in much the same way as streaming rival Spotify. If you don't want to throw any cash at the service you can stream music for free, but you'll have to put up with ads, and the number of hours you can stream for becomes limited after six months.
If you're prepared to fork out £8.99 per month however, you get unlimited ad-free streaming and the ability to download songs to play offline -- handy if you commute into work on a bus or train every day.
The paid for 'Xbox Music Pass' option will probably be the only way to get the service on your smart phone, just as only paying Spotify members can use the mobile app.
Xbox Music is £1 cheaper than Spotify, which costs £9.99 per month for an equivalent service. That's only a quid per month, but could make all the difference to Windows 8 first-timers looking to subscribe to a streaming service.
Will you sign-up to Xbox Music, or does another music service have a hold on your heart? Tell me in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
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Comments 8
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anonymous 15 October, 2012 12:13
Spotify is £5 for students for the best package which makes Spotify £4 cheaper, almost half the price of Xbox Music. Way to miss that out..
weaz1981 15 October, 2012 15:30
How did I not know it's £5 for students?!! Thanks Mr AN Onymous!
anonymous 15 October, 2012 15:52
will xbox music allow higher quality music? will you be able to play the downloaded music library while playing your games too? I was really hoping xbox would just integrate spotify in sometime. another thing is with spotify i have an actual keyboard and i can play it through my computer to my peachtree audio DAC*IT , DAC and then to my astro mixamp dolby headphone amplifier all while i am playing my games. Mixed with my Lg Flatron screen that has two digital capable picture in picture it makes for a pretty badass setup
Just saying
jake0812 15 October, 2012 18:27
Just curious, why didn't they stick with the name zune for their music service? Just trying to start fresh by shedding the name tied to an unpopular microsoft device and go with the one that brings in a killing?
anonymous 17 October, 2012 08:57
Will it be available in cvountries that don't get Spotify (i.e. Ireland?) Also why no windows 7 love? There will still be tons of W7 users for the forseeable future why cut them out?
anonymous 17 October, 2012 14:19
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anonymous 17 October, 2012 14:21
I am very happy to read your articles it’s very useful for me,
and I am completely satisfied with your website.
All comments and articles are very useful and very good.
Your blog is very attention-grabbing. I am loving all of the in
turn you are sharing with each one!…
software company
anonymous 22 November, 2012 22:09
I simply love this Xbox Music Pass. Switched from an iPhone 4 to a Nokia Lumia 820 with an Xbox Music Pass. I download new albums everyday, from the new Ne-Yo to Verdi's Nabucco. I put all my music on the SD card, works like a charm. Shame I cannot share my pass with my partner unless we use the same Microsoft account. Microsoft, do something!
Some minor glitches but overall Windows Phone OS better designed than the outdated iOS.