14 DAY TRIAL // It’s not a secret anymore that Microsoft is betting big on Windows 8.1, as the company hopes its new OS to boost sales of the rather disappointing Windows 8 and bring more users looking for a modern platform on board.
In the past few weeks, every time they talked about Windows 8.1, Microsoft’s employees used pretty much the same words: refreshed, rebuilt, or re-invented.
In a blog post rolled out today, Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc embraced almost the same motif, claiming that Xbox Music has been improved in such a way that it makes easier for users to listen to their favorite music or to songs stored in the cloud.
“We set out to be a Windows showcase app, which means we designed and built the Music app to look great and be usable when in 50/50 or snapped mode. The app hides columns when a customer puts it into 50/50, and collapses the left nav bar to buttons as a customer scales down the window,” LeBlanc wrote.
“Our improved snapped view is clearer and easier to use when a customer scales it down to minimum size. These investments allowed us to offer an amazing experience in portrait mode, which will undoubtedly be appreciated by our customers using the new, smaller form factor Windows 8.1 tablets.”
Xbox Music has indeed been improved to get in line with Windows 8.1’s Modern UI, so it now comes with a fresh design plus several new features specifically available on this platform.
Windows 8.1 is set to make its first public appearance in RTM form on October 18, with all those who already installed Windows 8 to be allowed to download it free from the Store.
A core license, however, will cost $119.99 (€90), while the professional version will be available for $199.99 (€150).