Word on the street is that Microsoft will be entering the streaming music market. The plan is to copy emulate Spotify: offer free streaming with limited commercial interruption, and the option to purchase music for download. Just what the world needs, another streaming solution. Another boutique music store. Another walled garden from which digital content can be rationed out to the masses, replete with digital restrictions management.
I’m sure Microsoft’s streaming service will be top-quality. No, really, I am. I’m sure it’ll integrate beautifully with their Zune product line. I’m sure it’ll make the XBox 360 an even better “digital entertainment hub”. I’m sure some people will be very happy with it. But really, do we need yet another streaming solution? Is this actually good for consumers?
Via The Telegraph.
This could be huge for Xbox 360.
Now what do you do with the screen while these are playing? Cover Art, Stupid visualization, roll your own photos or Microsoft picked ones like on Bing, or maybe even music videos.
Useless if it is only on the Zune and not an iPhone app. Sorry M$ but the Zune=Fail.
I’ll be keeping an eye on this one.
Microsoft is so innovative.
Sarcasm, or are you serious?
Microsoft offered free, streaming music as far back as 2006 through MSN Music, which I believe makes Spotify the copy cat here, not Microsoft. Not that it matters. The transistor radio did it before any of them.
And, while it may seem that the world doesn’t need another streaming music service, with 1 Billion Windows users, I think Microsoft has earned the right to service their customers directly.
I meant 2003 – had to recall when it was that I worked in a cubicle :)
It will be MusicWave which is a French company, and it will be launched this month. FACT
You mean MusiWave, as in http://www.musiwave.com/ As in the company Microsoft purchased in November 2007 from OpenWave for $46 Million? :) Maybe SeeqPod helped too, if Microsoft ever acquired them
By the way, I’m sure it will be top-notch too. I may leave Pandora for it. But really this will probably be worldwide. Unlike Pandora (US only), Spotify (Europe only) and Last.fm (select countries). I just wonder how they will handle this. It will of course work on computers, but why partner with Last.fm on Xbox if they are going to introduce their own competitor to last.fm. And won’t this service disrupt Zune Pass sales? I would love for this to be a success for Microsoft though. I think that Facebook user above is being stupid. The Zune isn’t fail and Apple would never let an app for this service on the AppStore (maybe if it includes buy from iTunes and Zune feature.)
I for one would love to see a Microsoft product in this area succeed. They’ve got better funding than Spotify (not necessarily required or even advantageous, but still) and they have way more (relevant?) legal experience.
I believe this can lead to them being able to keep a better pace at striking the distribution deals – which is what it’s all about. The technology isn’t the tricky part. So, yes – we do need another streaming service! :)
And, even though it’s great that Spotify’s coming to the Android platform, I still believe they’ve been too slow in bringing Spotify to mobile.