Microsoft today launched its Xbox Music service on iOS and Android, expanding the service to other devices almost a full year after its original introduction. The company has also introduced free ad supported web-based streaming for all browsers, but mobile users will need an Xbox Music Pass to access the service, which costs $9.99 per month after a free 30-day trial.
The Xbox Music iPhone app includes a number of iOS optimized features such as the ability to multitask with Xbox Music running in the background, artist-based radio stations, and playlists that sync across all devices.
Xbox Music Pass on iPhone features:
- Stream ad-free music from a catalog of tens of millions of songs
- Add songs, albums, and playlists to your Xbox Music collection and access them from other devices
- Create playlists that sync across your phone, Xbox 360, PC, tablet, and the web
- Listen to music while using your iPhone
- Listen to artist-based radio stations
- Enjoy a rich visual experience for searching, viewing, and playing back music
According to Xbox Music general manager Jerry Johnson, who spoke to The Verge, Microsoft plans to update the Xbox Music app every four to six weeks. One of the first updates will include support for an offline mode.
Microsoft's expansion of Xbox Music comes as the company prepares to launch the service on its upcoming Xbox One console, which will be released on November 22nd.
Xbox Music is a free app and can be downloaded on the App Store. [Direct Link]
Top Rated Comments
You forget that iTunes radio will be available in the US only. Google Music availability outside US is also very limited.
Xbox music/Spotify/Rdio are available all around Europe while Apple didn't manage to make iTunes Match in all EU countries.
The key thing about iTunes Radio is that anybody who just buys an iPhone can walk out of the store, tap the music icon and start streaming music. Occasional listeners also don't have to download another app - it's all already there under 'Music'.
My parents have probably bought a total of 10 songs between them (mostly hits that time forgot), all from iTunes and only since buying iPhones. From time to time they'll ask me about a song they heard, but they can't be bothered to follow it up. I know they'll discover this service, and with it just being so easy, I'm pretty sure it'll lead them to listen to more music. In my opinion, that's the hallmark of a service that's going to take off.
I think people underestimate how big an impact ITR will have. Don't bother launching music services on iOS unless you're doing something different; you'll be fighting an uphill battle against a streaming service built in to the music app itself.
EDIT: God, I forgot how ugly Segoe is!
If you're outside of the US it doesn't matter if iTunes Radio is 25$ a year.
And by "anybody" you mean the roughly 5% of the world's population that happens to live in the USA. ;)
The rest of us 95% will need some other options.