Microsoft's free version of its Xbox Music streaming service will be discontinued in all available countries effective December 1, 2014.
While Xbox Music is not going away entirely, the Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 versions of the streaming service that allowed ad support to make it free will be going away in lieu of the subscription service already available on the Xbox 360 and Xbox One consoles.
The Xbox Music Pass will allow all users to have access to the entire Xbox Music library through a $9.99 monthly fee. Those who already purchased music through the service will not have their music removed from their libraries, but any playlists, radio stations, or collections will only be accessible with the Xbox Music Pass. Mp3s added to your library will also not be affected.
"We are focusing Xbox Music to deliver the ultimate music purchase and subscription service experience for our customers," a FAQ explains on the official Xbox website.
Xbox Music was introduced to Windows desktops and devices with Windows 8 in October of 2012. It is available through three different payment options: a $9.99 monthly fee, a pay-per-download, or the ad-supported free version for the PC. The service allows music libraries to be shared and synced across all Windows devices and a web player. This includes non-Windows products running Apple's iOS and Android, as well. Xbox Music features the creation of custom playlists, radio stations, cloud connection, offline listening, and more. It boasts access to millions of songs to download and stream instantly.
If you don't currently have an Xbox Music Pass, you can sign up for a 30-day trial on the company's website.
