Xbox Music coming to NZ with Windows 8, scheduled for Xbox 360 today

Microsoft's music service, Xbox Music, is launching in New Zealand on 26 October to coincide with the global launch of Windows 8.

Microsoft said in a statement that the service will feature a music catalogue that is "on par with iTunes". It will launch with more than 30 million songs.

It will be available on all Windows RT and Windows 8 tablets and PCs, as well as on Windows Phone 8 smartphones and in an update for the Xbox 360 game console.

The Xbox 360 update is scheduled go live late this afternoon, but a Microsoft representative told PC World the rollout could get pushed back if there are any technical issues.

Users of Windows 8 and Windows RT will have free access to Xbox Music's streaming service. To get music in offline mode, and on more devices including the Xbox 360, New Zealanders will have to pay for an Xbox Music Pass which costs $13 per month.

There will also be anm Xbox Music Store which allows customers to buy MP3s of tracks and albums.

“The launch of Xbox Music is a milestone in simplifying digital music on every type of device and on a global scale,” said Don Mattrick, president of interactive entertainment business at Microsoft.

“We’re breaking down the walls that fracture your music experiences today to ensure that music is better and integrated across the screens that you care about most.”