Topic: Microsoft to preview 'Woodstock' Xbox music service at E3

http://www.theverge.com/2012/4/25/2973682/microsoft-xbox-live...

Microsoft will offer a sneak peak at its Zune replacement during E3 2012, according to sources familiar with the company's plans. The new music service, codenamed Woodstock, will continue Microsoft's shift away from the Zune brand towards the well known Xbox one. Insiders have revealed to us that Woodstock will be a cross-platform play, available to Windows 8, Android, iOS, and Xbox users — playable from a browser.

Previously described as "Spotify-like", the service won't require any browser plugins and is said to integrate deeply with Facebook, allowing friends to build group playlists and share tracks. An additional "scan and match" function, similar to iTunes Match, is also being tested as part of Woodstock to allow users to identify their existing music collection in the service. Although Microsoft will preview the service at E3 — barring any last-minute changes in its plans, of course — it is not expected to launch until later this year alongside Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 devices.

The biggest thing is this

We already know that Microsoft's E3 announcements won't involve any future Xbox hardware and we're also hearing that the company will focus on content deals this year, including new TV packages and offerings.

And here I thought E3 was for the games. Though no xbox reveal at E3 makes sense.

I'm glad they're not jumping on the next generation bandwagon so soon. Sucks that Microsoft isn't going to talk about games at E3 again this year. Or I mean good games that is.

Haven't you heard no one buys the xbox for retail games any more. Only Xbla and twitter apps.

Oddly enough Microsoft has a lot of exclusives this year.

Isn't Halo 4 coming this year? If so then that's really all Microsoft needs.

^{Aside from Witcher 2 and Minecraft, I might have to buy an Xbox 360 Slim this year for it...}

yep all in all its looking like a good year if you count xbla games that are exclusive.

Witcher 2
Alan Wake's American Nightmare
Trails Evolution
Fable Heroes
Mincraft
Fez
Double fine action theathre
Haunt
Diabolical pitch
Fable the journey
Steel battalion
forza horizon
Deadlight
Hybrid
Crimson dragon
ryse(maybe)
The splatters
Kimect star wars (lololololol)
Spelunky
Super time force
Sine mora
Dungeon fighter live
Class 3
Fire pro wrestling
skulls of the shogun
Mark of the ninja
Charile murder
Dust an elysian tale
Joe danger the movie
South park ternamans revenge
Battle block theather

E3 does stand for Electronic Entertainment Expo, so while video games are the primary focus of the event it's not like Microsoft couldn't announce non-video game stuff there ...

Also, if they're service is codenamed "Woodstock," shouldn't the service include more live-music oriented stuff than just something to compete with iTunes and Spotify?

Personally, this is my own opinion, is they could make a new powerful Xbox. Yeah, I can see that happening. But I can't really see what else they could do with the Xbox to make it more, what's the word, exclusive, maybe? I can't see what they are going to add to make the Xbox a "special" console. For some reason ,idk why, I just can't see them going down the Nintendo alley of motion control(besides the Kinect, I mean an actual remote)and touchscreen. I personally think they are going to stick with the Kinect. The Kinect may be ingenius, but without the Wii, the Kinect wouldn't exist, most likely. Yes, I think the Kinect was a smart idea, but I never really got into it. There is one thing, and only one thing, I think people really really want out of Microsoft; a handheld. Only problem with that is Microsoft would focus on making it ultra powerful, smart, like an iPod Touch+3DS+PSVita. Then, although it might be the coolest thing on the market, it'll have to cost something like $1000. Also, I don't really see a handheld coming from Microsoft for a while. I think they'll stay with trying to make their consoles as powerful as possible, but missing a fundemental: stuff to do with that kind of power. Anyway, it'll be interesting to see what Microsoft does in the end.