RUMOR: Xbox Live ‘Woodstock’ Music Service to be Unveiled at E3

By Matthew Bennett, Associate Editor
Posted on April 25, 2012 AT 07:56am

THE BUZZ: Microsoft will reportedly preview its new music service, known internally as Woodstock, at E3 2012.

Sources have told The Verge that the service will be cross-platform operating on Xbox 360, Windows 8 PCs, phones and tablets, as well as iOS and Android devices.

Woodstock will completely replace the current Zune service. The E3 demo will come a few months before the actual release, which is expected to be when Windows 8 launches towards the end of this year.

EGM’s TAKE: We all know that Zune hasn’t been nearly as successful as Microsoft originally hoped. Many people have chosen iTunes over the service, and so it’s only natural that the company is looking for something better. The fact that this new service will be cross-platform is an instant improvement as it will allow users to access their music pretty much anywhere there is an Internet connection. Will this new service finally bring Microsoft up to speed with Apple, or will it struggle exactly the same way Zune did?

Does this new service interest you? Do you use Zune? Let us know in the comments below.

Matthew Bennett has only been covering the gaming world for a short while, but he’s eager to make his mark. An ability to go many hours without sleep and a quick wit make him ideal for his role as associate editor at EGMNOW.com. He often thinks back to the days when the very idea of this career seemed like nothing but an impossible dream. Follow him on Twitter @mattyjb89. Meet the rest of the crew.

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