[Update: Microsoft sent us a message to clarify that the updates coming to Xbox this Fall does not constitute a new service, but that the new features are intended to enhance the existing Zune service and not replace it. Our apologies for the mistake.]
During Microsoft’s Partner Conference yesterday, the megacorp announced the impending arrival of a new music application on Xbox 360 this fall. During his speech, CEO Steve Ballmer stated that the “Xbox Music” service will offer more than 11 million songs, all searchable with the voice recognition software used by Kinect.
While the thought that my frequent exclamations of “Morrissey rides a cock horse” might one day result in my Xbox launching into The Warlock Pinchers is highly amusing, what does this announcement mean for the Zune brand? Presumably, Microsoft doesn’t have a need for two music services and going with the Xbox Music moniker suggests that perhaps they may be ready to move on past what seems to have been an expensive experiment.
Ballmer Talks About How Skype Will Fit Into Microsoft [Business Insider]