For a while now, whispered rumors have floated around that Apple is developing a music streaming subscription service similar to Spotify or Rdio. While the concept has not made its way into full-fledged rumorhood yet, Microsoft's recent announcement may light a spark under Apple to either innovate a new streaming music service or just skip that section of technology altogether.
Microsoft recently launched its own music service that offers both the al-a-carte style song purchasing like iTunes, plus the streaming subscription service of Xbox Music.
The new service costs just $9.99 per month for unlimited access to multiple devices without adds under the Zune Pass identity. Microsoft is also offering an ad supported version of Xbox Music for free that is only available on Windows 8-compatible devices.
Making the service only available on Windows 8 devices is a smart move for Microsoft. Currently, users can download popular similar services on both Android and iOS devices. By making Xbox Music only for their own tablets, they will generate more interest in their branded devices.
Apple may have the market on digital music purchases through iTunes, but the company has never carved out a niche for itself when it comes to social integration. The, now defunct, Ping is a perfect example of how Apple can't make sense of the social aspect of music. Microsoft plans on capitalizing on that by making Xbox Music integrated with music sharing options within the service, as well as through Facebook.
If Microsoft's new Xbox Music takes off, it will add to the difficulty Apple will have in joining in on the reindeer games. As it is, the popularity of Spotify makes Apple's leap into subscription-based music streaming difficult. The tech giant's M.O. is to take something that already exists and turn it into something more amazing than anyone could have imagined. Spotify seems to have appeased the masses and Microsoft may scoop up the rest. How will Apple be innovative and find a niche in a market that just doesn't need it? On the other hand, that's what we said about the iPad mini and it seems to be doing just fine so far.
[Via: The Verge]
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