Windows 8 gets Exclusive Xbox Music Streaming App

Windows 8 users are in for a treat. Starting October 26th, 2012, Windows 8 powered devices will get access to free music streaming courtesy the Xbox Music app. Xbox Music will officially roll out to Xbox 360 consoles starting Tuesday, Oct 16th, 2012 and will eventually roll out to Windows 8 devices ten days later. The Xbox Music app features a catalog with over 30 million songs, which you can stream for free, subscribe to, create custom playlists with, buy and even download to your hearts content.

Xbox Music Streaming App is an excellent alternative to apps such as iTunes, Pandora, or Spotify, which offer similar such services. The app will be ad-supported of course, for the first 6 months when users will have access to streaming unlimited songs, after which a subscription service may be in place. The free streaming service will however be available only in 15 markets initially, while the paid service called Xbox Music Pass will be available in as many as 22 countries.

Features of Xbox Music

Here’s a quick look at some of the features you can expect with Xbox Music.

Xbox Music Pass

This is a premium service that allows unlimited access to songs even in the offline mode. Priced at $9.99 per month or $99 per year, this feature lets you stream ad-free music and offers unlimited playback of any of the 30 million songs in the music catalog. And, you can access your music on your tablet, PC, phone and Xbox 360.

Xbox Music Store

You can buy your favorite tunes in this MP3 marketplace, either by album or an individual song.

Smart DJ

An apparently smart way to create playlists of your favorite tunes, this feature lets you personalize your music and internet radio.

Cloud Storage

This feature is only expected to be available next year, but it promises users the opportunity to listen to music that’s outside the catalog, so if you own music that’s not part of the catalog, you can add it to your Xbox music collection.

Social Sharing

This feature is also expected to roll out next year, and offers users the ability to share their favorite tunes with friends and family.

XBox Music offers an exciting way to turn your Windows 8 powered device into your jukebox, while still enjoying the benefits of working in a professional way. And with the app expected to reach multiple platforms the next year, accessing music on any device you own is going to be fun.

Check out this exciting video promo!