Microsoft is gearing up for a massively busy fall season. Between the launch of a brand new OS that's hoping to change the desktop landscape for good, a software update for the Xbox, and Windows Phone 8, the company is certainly going to make the most of 2012's final quarter. We already know that Windows 8 and Redmond's Surface tablets will launch on the same day, and it seems Microsoft has yet another product release planned for the end of October.
According to the latest scuttlebutt, Microsoft will release Xbox Music on October 26. The Verge cites multiple sources familiar with Microsoft's plans that say the music service will launch at the same time as Windows 8 with SkyDrive support allowing for the storage of music and playlists. Additionally, users will have the choice between a subscription-based service or free, ad-supported streaming of music.
There will be support for additional platforms (such as Android and iOS), but The Verge writes that these apps won't be available from launch. Instead, users will be restricted to Windows Phone, Windows 8, and Xbox 360. No word on pricing for the subscriptions or whether the free option will feature any kind of restrictions, but we'll update if more information comes to light.
