Xbox 360 Launching Free Streaming Music Service
Microsoft may have a streaming music service ready to launch on the Xbox 360 on as soon as October 26. According to multiple sources, the service will resemble Spotify and will launch in conjunction with the Windows 8 OS. The service will allow you to stream unlimited music either free but with advertisements or for a fee with no ads. Several plans will be available. This service is said to be available on Windows Phone, Windows 8 and Xbox 360.
This service also allows users to intergrate the SkyDrive cloud saving service and store music and playlists to be shared across Microsoft devices. Although this won’t be available at launch, eventually this will allow users to stream to iOS and Android devices as well. The Xbox 360 already has two music services, iHeartRadio and LastFM. However, you are not able to stream specific songs or create playlists. Those services resemble Pandora Radio.
A dashboard update will enable support for Xbox Music on the console. The dashboard Fall update is also forthcoming and will include multiple updates such as an improved layout and a version of Internet Explorer. I personally use my 360 for various media purposes such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube and streaming content from my PC. However, I don’t use it for any music purposes. This service would be a welcome addition as I am a fan of Spotify. Although I would like to see the service let you stream music while playing a game.
Microsoft continues to turn the Xbox 360 into a multimedia device rather than a video game console first and foremost. What do you guys think? Do you like the idea of a streaming music service on your Xbox 360? Would you use the service at all? How do you feel about the Xbox 360′s progression towards multimedia rather than focus on video games? Start the discussion in the comment section below.
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