Google Music was launched in the United States almost a year ago, and it has still not come to Australia. By comparison, Microsoft announced yesterday that Xbox Music would be available on Xbox 360 starting today, and will come to Windows at the end of the month. And even though Android is a significant obstacle for Microsoft’s neat new Windows Phone 8 platform, they have announced that Android users will be able to access Xbox Music, and an application is expected early next year.
Xbox Music seems like a neat concept, not too different from Spotify, even coming in at the exact same $11.99 per month for unlimited streaming, and a free, ad-supported version streaming for Windows PCs and tablets. But its integration with Windows 8 and the Xbox, as well as its sizable music library of over 30 million songs might make it a winner for me. Also, in direct competition with iTunes, you will be able to buy tracks permanently without a subscription. I don’t know why Google isn’t working harder to make Google Play Music available internationally, but I assume they just don’t want our money.
