Microsoft has launched the web version of its Xbox Music service, also compatible with non-Microsoft branded web browsers.
Originally launching on Xbox 360 back in October 2012, Microsoft has now launched the web version of its Xbox Music service.
To access the web version, users must be an Xbox Music Pass subscriber, which costs £9 per month. Otherwise Microsoft is offering a 30 day free trial of the service.
The Xbox Music service is also available as a Windows 8 and Windows RT app, offering streaming access to its libraries. This can be done for free, but non-subscribers are limited to 10 hours per month after six months of use.
The web player automatically adjusts to the size of the browser window, which is a nice touch and offers a similar layout to the recent Windows 8 app refresh.
The service allows Xbox Music Pass subscribers to simultaneously stream music on multiple devices, something that isn’t allowed with rival service, Spotify, which requires users to have a unique subscription for each active session.
Offering access to millions of songs, the full Xbox Music Pass subscription allows users to create playlists, download or directly stream tracks or listen to artist-based radio stations.
Automatically synching any downloaded songs or user-created playlists between Windows Phone, Windows or Xbox 360 devices, the web version is also compatible with Google Chrome, Firefox and Safari browsers. The app isn’t yet available for iOS or Android yet though.
Like Spotify, Xbox Music allows users to download songs to listen to offline, but also offers the chance to purchase tracks from the Xbox Music Store.
Already going up against well-established services like Spotify, Xbox Music will soon face competition (currently in the US only) from the upcoming Apple iTunes Radio service announced at WWDC alongside iOS 7.
Next, read our iTunes Radio vs Spotify comparison.
Via: Xbox Music
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
