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New Xbox music app to be unveiled at E3 - Report

Sources say Zune replacement "Woodstock" to be shown at this summer's tradeshow; service will offer cross-platform play with Xbox 360, Windows 8, Android, and iOS.

Microsoft will show off its Zune replacement at the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo, according to unnamed sources speaking to The Verge. Currently codenamed "Woodstock," the music service is to continue Microsoft's push away from the Zune brand.

The tipsters told the site that Woodstock will offer cross-platform play, allowing users to stream music to Windows 8, Android and iOS devices, and the Xbox 360. Woodstock will not require plug-ins and is rumored to offer "deep" Facebook integration.

Additionally, a "scan and match" feature, similar to iTunes Match, is reportedly being tested. The service is expected to be available to the public later this year alongside the launch of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 devices.

Pricing details for the service are not available, though the site reports Zune Pass subscribers "should" be able to maintain their pass or move it to the new service upon launch.

As of press time, Microsoft had not responded to GameSpot's request for comment on the matter.

This is the first word concerning Microsoft's E3 2012 announcements. Previously, the firm confirmed that it would not make any future Xbox hardware announcements during the show.

In February, Microsoft reported that for the first time, gamers in the United States spend more time with Xbox Live entertainment applications than they do playing multiplayer games over the service. Additionally, the company said the average Xbox 360 Gold user logs 84 hours on Xbox Live per month.

Eddie Makuch
By Eddie Makuch, News Editor

Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.

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