With not long to go until Apple starts plying everyone with its wares, Microsoft has hurried up with Xbox Music for iOS as well as Android. A free, ad-supported version for the web is also being offered. This comes almost a year after the company introduced the same for Windows 8.
The streaming service for web will be limited to 10 hours per month after half a year. Those who want unlimited access to tracks will need to pay a fee of $9.99 a month or $99.99 per year. Windows 8 PC and tablet users can download the Xbox Music app from here, while those who wish to access the service via a browser can go here.
Aiming a direct punch at iTunes Radio, Microsoft will also be adding Radio to the web player soon. Come October 17 and a Web Playlist option is set to reach Windows 8. So say you were visiting the web page of your favorite band or a radio station or a music festival, the addition will basically detect the tracks related to it and build a custom playlist for you.
As for the iOS and Android applications, an offline mode which lets users download and listen to music even without an internet connection, is in the making. Microsoft’s roster of songs appears to number at around 30 million presently. It’s clearly keen on staying relevant in the software and services game as much as any other tech company.
With the newly unveiled apps, signing up for a subscription (also known as Xbox Music Pass), will ensure that users have access to their songs from various devices. And who wouldn’t agree that the availability or unavailability of cross-platform compatibility makes or breaks a good service?