Xbox Music Can Now Play Files Stored on OneDrive

Not content with services like Spotify, Google Play Music, and Rdio hogging the limelight, Microsoft on Wednesday announced that its Xbox Music service has been integrated with the company's cloud storage service, OneDrive.

What this means is, any music file - be it mp3, m4a, or wma - can be accessed via the Music folder on OneDrive. The music file is playable on the Web or the Xbox Music app on Windows 8.1, Windows Phone 8.1, Xbox 360, and Xbox One for free, no Music Pass required. The firm clarifies that if users do own an Xbox Music Pass, they will get an extra 100GB of storage on OneDrive for free. Users can upload music files via any OneDrive app, or via the Xbox Music website. The move was announced in an Xbox Music blog post titled 'OneDrive Integration Is Live!', in the 'User Voice' feedback section.

The OneDrive integration puts Xbox Music on par with other music lockers such as Google Play Music. Microsoft adds users can store up to 50,000 music files in their collection on OneDrive, which matches the recently bumped-up storage limit of Google Play Music.

Unlike Google Play Music however, users will not be able to access Xbox Music on Android or iOS devices, though users could utilise the Web interface of the Xbox Music website. Nonetheless, with Microsoft reportedly bringing Cortana to Android and iOS, and going as far as to sway Android users to its ecosystem with the possibility of bringing a Windows 10 ROM to select Android devices, the move still shows the company means business. We won't be surprised to see Xbox Music joining the list of cross-platform apps soon enough.

Before you wonder why you are not able to use the service, keep in mind that its only available in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the United States for now. With Saavn, Rdio, Hungama, and Gaana dominating the space in India, it's easy to understand why. For more information, you can check out the Xbox Music site, as well as the FAQ page.