Xbox music pre-installed on Windows 8, no love for Windows 7 users

Microsoft’s soon-to-be-launched media app, Xbox Music, will be available as a 30-day trial alongside Xbox’s dashboard update on 16 October. For those of you not of the Xbox persuasion, it will arrive pre-installed on Windows 8, 26 October. Unfortunately Windows 7 users will be left in the lurch, as the new music app is specifically designed with Windows 8 devices in mind. Users still running the “older” program will continue using Microsoft’s Zune Music service, but will receive access to the revamped library.

The Verge reveals details about the new app courtesy of Xbox Music General Manager, Jerry Johnson, describing it as “an all-in-one solution”, integrating elements from “the best of all music services”. Should iTunes and Spotify be worried?. The defining feature, according to Johnson will be its extensive media library. Packed with up to 18-million songs, matching the numbers of iTunes and over 70 000 videos surpassing Vimeo’s database.

Microsoft has promised new features for release in 2013, specifically looking to integrate social media and cloud storage functions, creating a “unified user experience across all three platforms” akin to that of iTunes. Android and iOS will also get the chance to put this new app through its paces as Microsoft look to roll it out across multiple OS’. Users will however have to wait a while as a release date is yet to be specified. Microsoft’s new music app certainly sets the bar high, but if it can live up to its own lofty expectations, it will definitely be a welcome addition.