Microsoft plans Xbox streaming music serviceJune 28, 2012 - 22:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Microsoft Corp. plans an expansive Xbox music service joining Spotify-style streaming with download and online-storage functions similar to Apple Inc.’s iTunes, Bloomberg reported citing several people with knowledge of the situation. The Redmond, Washington-based software maker is in talks with major record companies for the needed rights, and plans to begin service later this year, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions aren’t complete. By combining the best features of competing services, Microsoft seeks to build a digital product that lets customers consume music any way they like. The maker of the Xbox console is building the new music business after its unsuccessful effort with the Zune service, which will close and move customers to Xbox Music, the company said on its website. Microsoft is negotiating with Vivendi SA (VIV)’s Universal Music Group, billionaire Len Blavatnik’s Warner Music Group, Sony Corp.’s music division, all based in New York, and Citigroup’s London-based EMI, the people said. All four music companies declined to comment in e-mails. Jose Pinero, a Microsoft spokesman, also wouldn’t comment. Xbox Music seeks to offer streaming for a monthly or annual fee, similar to Spotify Ltd.’s subscription service, and let consumers buy digital music through an online store, such as Zune, Apple’s iTunes and Amazon.com Inc., the people said. The company is also seeking to offer Xbox Music users an online locker accessible by multiple mobile devices running Windows 8, the people said. Users could put entire collections online, including music purchased elsewhere, for a monthly or annual fee, they said. The talks for the Xbox service are still early and Microsoft may not be able to obtain all of the rights it’s seeking, the people said. Even if successful, Microsoft may choose to roll out features over time, they said. The Xbox music service was announced June 4 at the E3 video-game conference in Los Angeles, without details about how it will work or when it will be available. Microsoft announced the service without having record deals completed. The company needs the four music companies onboard to avoid releasing an offering with fewer artists than the Zune service, the people said. Top stories Yerevan will host the 2024 edition of the World Congress On Information Technology (WCIT). Rustam Badasyan said due to the lack of such regulation, the state budget is deprived of VAT revenues. Krisp’s smart noise suppression tech silences ambient sounds and isolates your voice for calls. Gurgen Khachatryan claimed that the "illegalities have been taking place in 2020." Partner news Most popular in the section | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |