Microsoft Dances Closer to the Set-Top With Xbox Music

Microsoft is taking another stab at the digital music industry with the Tuesday launch of Xbox Music, a streaming music service that will be an update to the Xbox. It will also be released as a built-in feature on Windows 8 PCs and tablets later this month.

Xbox Music lets users listen to music in whatever way -- and on whatever device -- they choose.

Users will be able to stream the service's 30 million tracks for free in an ad-supported version or purchase it at the now ubiquitous price point of 99 US cents per song.

There's also an option to pay $9.99 per month for unlimited cloud-based streaming of music purchases and playlists to any device.

A Microsoft spokesperson was not immediately available to provide further details.

Xbox as Set-Top Box

Xbox Music is clearly different from Zune in some important respects -- and it can be expected to change the Xbox dynamic, Rob Enderle of the Enderle Group told TechNewsWorld.
The Xbox is being positioned as more of a set-top box going forward, he said. Microsoft carved out its identity at first with games and then movies -- and now it is incorporating music into the mix."Music has proven relatively easy, and Microsoft leads with games; it is video that remains the bridge too far and both firms are struggling here," said Enderle.

Digital Music Nation

Microsoft has another factor in its favor now with Xbox Music. Digital music has become mainstream, and consumers expect easy access and a smooth experience, said Patrick Reynolds, EVP of marketing for Triton Digital.
"There has never been more interest in or listening to online music," he told TechNewsWorld. The market has become a very big pool, and "there's room for more than one player."

Table Stakes

In fact, a good music service has become table stakes for both Apple and Microsoft, Enderle said. It will be a critical issue for Google as well, if it is not already.
Google still relies mostly on third parties, he noted. However, "their music service, while not as well known, is actually rather good, being a bit more consumer-focused and a bit less record-label friendly."

Satire On Modern Education System

H

ow many of you feel that you are a good learner and are being provided with the proper nourishment from your education machinery?  It is said that man is no better than a beast without education. But what kind of education really matters – quantitative or qualitative? Most of us would cast our vote in favour of the qualitative education which is hardly seen in today’s commercialization of the education system.

In the ancient era the basic motto of providing education is to imbibe the moral and ethical values in every individual for a better transformation. People in the past, considered education, as a tool for social change.

Things don’t change all of a sudden – a fact to be accepted. There might be some factors influencing for any change to occur. As the days passed by, not just the moral values are lacking among the students but also their creativity and imagination is being distorted with the uprising of the competitiveness in the society which always strives to give a tough fight for the external appearance as a technological gadget which lacks the basic configuration provided.

But yet to talk about the other side of the coin, one can say that, irrespective of the tough competition and westernization, the present education system is bringing out many beautiful jewels to the nations pride.

Education is not just holding degrees or getting jobs, but also to bring about different talents hidden in a student in various shades of his/her life which is actually being done by few of the many education machinery present in today’s modern era.

At times, there is a need for parents involvement too…., as such in understanding the capacity of the child, by not pressuring them and lay a path in supporting their child.

As quoted, ‘The greatest truth’s are always the simple’ how much ever the teacher provides, it’s the conscience of the student to realize that things wont work easily without his/her own interest, love and dedication towards the work.

Always remember that the very first walks of your life are taught by your parents having the confidence that you would lead the rest in the same way today’s education institutions providing a little nourishment to the students having left the rest to themselves in achieving and reserving a place in the future society.

Author Bio: This article is written by Miss T.M Pranathi, who is studying Senior Inter in a repuated IAS academy. 

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