Microsoft has announced Xbox Music, a streaming and download music service with a 30 million plus catalogue of songs.
Launching tomorrow, Xbox Music will offer free streaming on Windows 8 and Windows RT computers and an £8.99 per month Xbox Music Pass providing unlimited, ad-free access to songs including offline caching.
Microsoft points out that its track offering rivals that of tech competitor Apple and its iTunes platform.
Xbox Music Store provides a download to own functionality on Windows 8 or Windows RT tablet or PC and Windows Phone 8.
Cloud storage will be available in the coming year including a scan-and-match feature allowing users to add any music owned to their Xbox Music cloud regardless of the service it was acquired through.
Social features are also scheduled for the coming year along with the availability of Xbox Music on other platforms.
“The launch of Xbox Music is a milestone in simplifying digital music on every type of device and on a global scale,” said Don Mattrick, president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft.
“We’re breaking down the walls that fracture your music experiences today to ensure that music is better and integrated across the screens that you care about most — your tablet, PC, phone and TV.”
Xbox Music was first announced back in June, although details were thin on the ground. Unofficial pricing and feature details leaked last month.
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