Microsoft has expanded its Xbox Music service to new fronts, making it available for iOS and Android devices. Additionally, the company has even introduced a free streaming model which is currently web-only. This allows people to listen to a wide catalog of songs (30 million estimates the Redmond giant) from around the globe.
With the Xbox Music Android and iOS apps now available for download, those with a subscription will be able to access their entire catalog of music from mobile devices running on these platforms. Music Pass can be purchased for $9.99 per month or $99.99 a year. Additionally, if you’ve got a 360 console, this enables you to access a wide catalog of music videos. In the coming months, Microsoft plans on enhancing the experience by introducing offline mode for both operating systems. With Windows 8.1 arriving next month on October 18, the latest improvements to Xbox Music will be loaded onto the platform, while those on Windows 8 will be able to access the new features via a free update.
According to the company, the desktop version has been completely redesigned. It basically delivers 3 main tabs, namely music collection, radio, and Explore (Xbox Music Store), for accessing music. Along with the new platform, Microsoft will also launch Web Playlist, a feature which allows you to scan for artists that have been listed on any website. With this, you can create custom playlists with a simple press of a button.
The Xbox Music application for Android is available for download here, and you can grab the iOS version here. They’re both free.