Microsoft is heading in new directions with a number of releases – including the upcoming Xbox One – later this year. Apart from games and consoles, now it seems like the company is also looking to venture into other paths. According to reports, Microsoft has announced that it will be expanding its Xbox Music service onto other mobile platforms such as iOS and Android – Apple iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 6 and higher.
"Xbox Music now, more than ever, powers music experiences between Windows 8, Xbox, Windows Phone, and now iOS, Android and the Web," said Jerry Johnson, General Manager of Xbox Music. "We're also excited to connect artists with their fans on the most anticipated consumer product of the year when Xbox One launches Nov. 22," Johnson said to Engadget.
From now on, the Xbox Music Pass will be offering its massive catalog of music to iOS and Android devices, and fans can get unlimited access to the songs and artists at any time with playback across the user’s tablet, PC, phone and Xbox console for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year.
For those who are not aware, Microsoft’s Xbox Music service is the company’s own music streaming service that rivals the likes Pandora and Spotify. Until now, the service has been available on Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows Phone, and Xbox devices, and is also set to arrive with the next generation Xbox One console from the company.
Xbox Music allows users to choose from 30 million tracks and stream them for free with ads. The service is known for selling downloadable tracks that are usually kept off streaming services by related artists or labels. Similarly, a radio service on Xbox Music also creates song playlists automatically, keeping in account similar genres or artists.
From now on, whenever users add a song to their collection on the Xbox, they will also have that song on their iOS, Android, or Windows 8 device, on the go or at the office. The Xbox Music Pass also provides access to unlimited access to tens of thousands of music videos on the current generation Xbox 360.
As cool as it may sound, there’s a catch – as of now, the iOS and Android apps will not launch with the ability to save and play tracks offline, though offline playback functionality will be available in the coming months.
The Xbox Music app can be downloaded for free from iTunes and the Google Play store.
