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Xbox Music to launch Oct. 26 - Report

Multiple sources suggest new streaming service from Microsoft will roll out alongside Windows 8 later this month; ad-supported and subscriptions plans to be available.

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Microsoft's new Xbox Music service will debut on October 26 alongside the launch of the company's new operating system Windows 8, multiple sources have told The Verge.

Xbox Music comes to life this month, sources say.
Xbox Music comes to life this month, sources say.

Xbox Music will reportedly offer a subscription option--similar to the existing Zune Music Pass--as well as a free, ad-supported option in the vein of Spotify. Xbox Music will release for Windows Phone, Windows 8, and Xbox 360, but apps for iOS and Android devices will not be available at launch, the report states.

A major part of Xbox Music will be its integration with Microsoft's SkyDrive, the report adds, which will allow users to store music and playlists in the cloud and access these files across a range of devices.

A Microsoft representative told GameSpot, “We’re not commenting on speculation around Xbox Music features. What we can say is we’re excited for Xbox Music as our definitive music service. It’ll bring great new ways to enjoy, share and discover new music on all your Windows 8 devices, Xbox 360 console, and Windows Phone 8. We’ll let you know when we have more information to share.”

Microsoft formally announced Xbox Music at its 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo media briefing in June. At the time, very few details were shared. However, a later Bloomberg report indicated Microsoft was negotiating with the "Big Four" major record firms for licensing deals, namely Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Sony Music Group, and EMI.

At the time, these negotiations were reportedly only beginning.

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