Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), which has long
been attempting to break into the digital music service segment and compete
with Apple's iTunes, has now launched XBox Music.
The world's largest software firm plans to use its
popular gaming console to provide digital music entertainment in the form of
live streaming content from various service providers such as Netflix.
Microsoft previous attempts in this segment such as
the Zune music player and service were colossal failures as it was unable to
dislodge the popularity of other entrenched players, particularly Apple.
XBox was envisaged by Microsoft as a one-stop shop
device to provide entertainment. Recent evidence has shown that Xbox owners use
the gaming console more as an entertainment device rather than just to play
games.
XBox Music will offer prospective subscribers access
to a global catalogue of about 30 million songs and will allow them to listen
free to any of the songs on computers and tablets that are running the latest
version of Windows software.
Initially the music service would be available on XBox
and its Surface tablets, and then it would be extended to computers and laptops
running on Windows software and then finally to smartphones powered by its operating
software.
On Oct. 26 the company is set to launch its latest
operating system both for computers as well as for phones. The company plans to
package the software for the music service along with Windows 8.
Apple has been a pioneer in the way that it used music
services to sell more iPods and now other companies are following suit.
Shares of MSFT are up slightly in the pre-open
session.
Microsoft Music Making AppleSauce?
ReplyDeleteThe online music wars are definitely providing fodder for the media juggernaut. We're witnesses to a seismic shift in how music is both perceived and delivered ever since the Napster reared its (some might say) ugly head. I actually thought it was kinda cute.
If XBOX enjoys just some of the organic traction it achieved in the gaming arena with XBLA then Apple minus Steve Jobs might actually start to feel some tremors if they haven't already.
For my part I'm getting 99% of my music fix from recently launched fuhshniZZle
[ http://www.fuhshnizzle.com ] which has integrated YouTube music videos in a myriad of ways from playlists to actually turning any album into its music video equivalent.
No commercials, no registration, incredible playlists, every album available courtesy of Discogs, and they just added a Pandora Radio like feature that lets you take any music video in your playlists and immediately turn it into a custom channel.
Best of all I can share any video or even entire mixes from fuhshniZZle to my facebook wall with just a click. I love making mixes for my friends...