What happens when you combine iTunes, Pandora and Spotify? You get the music purchasing, online radio streaming, paid subscription featured Microsoft Xbox Music service.
The all-in-one music service, announced Oct. 14, was first said to be the next iTunes but now aims to be much more, according to CNN.
“With Xbox Music, what we wanted to do is bring all of that value in one simple, easy-to-use service, then build some additional value on top – make it really beautiful, and have it work across all of your devices,” said Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s Vice President of the Interactive Entertainment Division, in an Oct. 14 press release.
According to Mehdi, Xbox Music will have 30 million songs and offer a great way to discover new music.
Xbox Music will come pre-installed with the new Windows 8 after its Oct. 26 debut, according to Microsoft. The app will also eventually be available on other devices such as the Android and iOS system.
Microsoft’s main goal, according to Mehdi, is to make it easier for people to find new music and take with them wherever they go.
Junior economics major Thomas Gutterman is a PC user but typically listens to music on iTunes. He said that even though iTunes is an Apple product, he prefers it to the music program his computer came with.
“I would download Xbox music as long as it was an easy process because I usually switch between iTunes and Youtube for my music,” Gutterman said.
With Xbox music’s Spotify-like program, Gutterman would be able to listen to music that he might not own, increasing his access to music.
Sophomore business major Jonah Weisel is a PC user that strictly listens to music on iTunes.
“I’d give the product a try, but I would probably still use iTunes too. If I could transfer all of the music I already have, then I would probably stop using iTunes,” Weisel said.
With around 5,500 songs on iTunes the transfer could take some time. But with the various features Windows has incorporated into this new music system, it could be worth the wait.