Microsoft’s XBox Music Now Available on Android, Apple Devices

Updated on

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) increased its competitiveness against other online music streaming service providers such as Spotify and Pandora Media Inc (NYSE:P) by expanding its Xbox Music service to Android and iOS devices and by allowing consumers to stream music on the web.

Microsoft's XBox Music Now Available on Android, Apple Devices

The Xbox Music on Xbox 360

The Xbox Music was initially introduced by Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) on Xbox 360, Windows 8 computers and tablets as well as Window Phone 8 smartphones last October.

In an interview, Scott Porter, principal program manager of Xbox Music said that the Xbox Music Pass subscribers who pay $9.99 a month will now be able to use the services on their iPhones and Android devices. The Xbox Music Pass provides unlimited, advertising-free streaming of its 30 million song collection.

The new Xbox Music app is now available at Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iTunes app store and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s Google Play store.

Porter said, “Music needs to be something that freely connects between devices for users to be happy. Windows users “spent time curating and discovering new music and we need to give them access wherever they are.” According to him, Xbox Music is also available on Xbox One, the new Xbox game console of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT).

Online version of Xbox Music allows users to share tracks

He added that a free, ad-supported online version of Xbox Music allows users to share tracks with people who are using computers from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) aims to become the leading provider of digital music.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is expected to release more improved features of Xbox Music within the Windows 8.1 update, which will be available on October 18. Consumers using internet explorer with music-related entries enables users to create a playlist of their favorite artists and saved it on their personal Xbox music collection.

Xbox Music General Manager, Jerry Johnson said, The initial Xbox Music offering was “pretty comprehensive,” but it was very limited by the device set. … It’s important that we get music everywhere the consumer wants it.”

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) recently revealed its transaction to acquire the Devices & Services business including the Asha and Lumia smartphone brands of Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) for €5.44 billion.

The market share of smartphones powered by Microsoft’s Windows Phones 8 operating system was only 3.6 percent globally compared with the iOS and Android devices with 13 percent and 79 percent market share, respectively.

 

 

Leave a Comment