Microsoft launches all-in-one streaming music service across its Windows 8 and Windows RT tablets and PCs

Microsoft launches all-in-one streaming music service across its Windows 8 and Windows RT tablets and PCs

Microsoft has introduced Xbox Music, an all-in-one music service that enables users to stream custom-created playlists for a paid subscription, through the cloud.

In an effort to integrate the music experience across users' tablet, PC, phone and TV. Xbox Music has more than 30 million songs in its global catalog. The service will first be accessible through the Xbox 360 and later this month on Windows 8 and Windows RT PCs and tablets and on mobile phones. To launch the service, the first six months will be free, with limited hours of free streaming after 6 months. Paid subscription would grant unlimited access after the first 6 months.

"The launch of Xbox Music is a milestone in simplifying digital music on every type of device and on a global scale," said Don Mattrick, president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "We're breaking down the walls that fracture your music experiences today to ensure that music is better and integrated across the screens that you care about most — your tablet, PC, phone and TV."

Xbox Music makes music simple by offering immediate and comprehensive discovery across the different types of devices you own, streaming music on Windows 8 and Windows RT tablets and PCs, the ability to purchase songs and albums, a compelling music subscription, and artist-based radio.

Available in the coming year, a scan-and-match feature will take users beyond the 30 million tracks globally offered through Xbox Music. It will add all the music that users own to the Xbox Music cloud catalog, including music acquired through other services. This means users will be able to add almost any content they may have to their personal Xbox Music collection.

Microsoft plans to make Xbox Music available on other platforms in the coming year.

Xbox is Microsoft's premier entertainment service for the TV, phone, PC and tablet.

More information at http://www.xbox.com.

This article originally appeared on EE Times Europe.

TAG:streaming music Xbox Music service cloud Microsoft