Microsoft is making its Xbox Music streaming service available for free on the web even to those who don't use Windows 8. The expansion beyond Windows 8 devices and Xbox game consoles starting Monday is intended to bring new customers into the software giant's ecosystem of devices and services and could help it compete with other digital music offerings such as Pandora, Spotify and iTunes.
It's also an acknowledgement that the music service hasn't done much to drive sales of the Windows 8 operating system. Microsoft first launched Xbox Music in October 2012 for the Xbox 360, and PCs, tablets and smartphones running Windows 8 or Windows RT.
At the time Microsoft executives suggested there would be Xbox Music apps for Apple's iPhone and iPad, and for Android devices, "early" in 2013. Instead it has taken until now. The iOS and Android apps will require a "music pass" costing $9.99 per month or $99 per year. The web service, however, is free with ads or ad-free with a subscription.
That also puts it into contention with Google's Android-only storage and streaming service, Google Play Music All Access, and Apple's forthcoming iTunes Radio streaming service for iOS devices.
The move represents another step toward Microsoft's goal of becoming a company that sells devices and services, rather than primarily software, said Michael Turits, an analyst with financial advisory firm Raymond James. It comes on the heels of Microsoft announcing both that it would buy the mobile phone handset manufacturing business of Nokia for a total of $7.2bn and that chief executive Steve Ballmer would step down within 12 months.
"They've said they're going to be a devices and services company. We know they want to be a device company since they're buying the Nokia phone division," Turits said. "This kind of thing gives more credibility to the idea they'll be more of a services company as well."
Most buyers of the new Windows 8 operating system discovered Xbox Music because it's the default player for music files that people have imported from elsewhere, according to Xbox Music general manager Jerry Johnson. Opening it up to the broader public would give more people a chance to see the benefits of having multiple devices linked to Microsoft's platform. Its music service, for example, will save favorites and playlists across PCs, Windows Phones and Xbox game consoles.
Source: The Guardian
