Microsoft debuts Xbox music service to take on Apple
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Buy SPH photos(REUTERS) - Microsoft on Monday announced that Xbox Music, a digital music service to vie with Apple's iTunes and Amazon.com's Cloud Player, will be available for its Xbox game consoles on Tuesday.
The service will be expanded to Windows software-based computers and tablets, including the upcoming Surface tablet, from Oct 26, when Microsoft launches Windows 8. It will be expanded to phones shortly after that.
The world's largest software maker has been trying for years to make the household living room an entertainment hub with its Xbox. More than 67 million units have been sold since 2005.
About 18 months ago, the company realised that Xbox users were spending half to 60 per cent of their time on entertainment services rather than video gaming, Xbox Music general manager Jerry Johnson said.
