Microsoft Xbox music service to challenge Apple’s iTunes

Microsoft announced that it will soon release Xbox Music for its game console Xbox. With the new music service Microsoft will try to challenge Amazon’s Cloud Player and Apple’s iTunes.

Microsoft plans also to incorporate the music service in its Windows computers and tablet devices. In addition, the company’s new tablet Surface will too have access to the Xbox Music service. We remind you that Microsoft’s tablet and the operating system Windows 8 will be available from October 26. Microsoft Corp plans to further expand the new music service by including it in some mobile phones.

The software giant invested a lot of money and thought to turn the game console into a top home entertainment device. It seems that Microsoft’s efforts are paying back well since over 67 million Xbox units were sold only for 7 years.

A year and a half ago, Microsoft found that people who have Xbox use more entertainment services than gaming ones. For that purpose, the company’s game console now incorporates Netflix and channels like ESPN. In addition, Xbox offers videos and music.

Microsoft officials said that the company understands the music’s importance and its significant role in the users’ lives.

Microsoft Corp tried to compete with Apple’s iTunes with its digital media Zune. However, the company will change it with Xbox Music.

Microsoft Corp’s new service for music streaming will be free, because it will be sponsored only by advertisements. Nevertheless, users will be able to opt out the ads for $9.99 for premium subscription.

Xbox Music will allow people to purchase and download music files. The online music library of the company will offer more than 30 million songs which is 5 million more than iTune’s catalogue. Moreover, Microsoft’s service will also stream more than 70,000 videos which will be available only for the Xbox game concole.

Like iTunes and Cloud Player, Xbox Music service will too use an online cloud storage platform. In addition, the new music service will stream songs in a way similar to online Internet radios like Pandora and Spotify.

Xbox Music will be launched in 22 different countries. Microsoft revealed that it has big plans for 2013 when it wants to expand the music service to Apple iOS and Android devices.