TheVerge: Microsoft is preparing to launch its Xbox Music service on October 26th. Multiple sources familiar with Microsoft's plans have confirmed the new service will launch at the same time as Windows 8. We're told that subscriptions, like the current Zune Music Pass offering, will be available alongside a free streaming service supported by ads — similar to Spotify. The service will be available on Windows Phone, Windows 8, and Xbox 360.
Xboxed: "You don’t need to pay a single dime for the overpriced Xbox Music pass (Groove pass) anymore because you can listen to your personal playlist directly on the Xbox One or Xbox 360 for free."
Maximum PC: If you're on the fence about which subscription-based streaming music service to cozy up with, Microsoft has an offer it hopes you'll find too good to refuse. That offer is a free Nokia Lumia 520 or 521 handset when you purchase a 12-month pass to Xbox Music. That's not a bad deal on a couple of levels, the first being that you're essentially receiving two months free by paying for a year in advance -- Xbox Music typically runs $9.99 per month.
The Verge:
While Microsoft is busy launching Xbox Video on Windows Phone 8, the software giant is also quietly releasing a separate Xbox Music app today. Although Xbox Music functionality is already built directly into Windows Phone 8, Microsoft is separating out the functionality ahead of its Windows Phone 8.1 update next year. The separate Xbox Music app includes new features that aren’t available with the built-in version: playlists are editable, alongside radio stations sync support.
