It has been rumoured for some time that Microsoft has been considering adding its own media player within its new cloud storage service SkyDrive.
But this week the Liveside website has discovered snippets within the code of the newly streamlined SkyDrive service applications which indicate that Microsoft may be launching a direct media playback feature within their SkyDrive storage.
Integration with Xbox Music
Earlier this year Microsoft announced their new Xbox Music service, which fuelled speculation of integration with SkyDrive once again. Xbox Music is a comprehensive music streaming service that offers a vast library of over 30 million tracks. The potential integration with SkyDrive would allow users to seamlessly access their music collection from the cloud, enhancing the overall user experience. Microsoft followed that by officially announcing that the cloud storage would be available next year on their Xbox console, stating:
“Cloud Storage. Available in the coming year, a scan-and-match feature will take you beyond the 30 million tracks globally offered through Xbox Music. It will add all the music you own to your Xbox Music cloud catalog, including music acquired through other services. This means you can add almost any content you have to your personal Xbox Music collection, even if it’s not available in the Xbox Music catalog.”
This announcement has led to widespread excitement among users who are eager to see how the integration will work. The ability to store and play music directly from SkyDrive could potentially make it a central hub for all media needs, not just for music but also for videos and other media files.
Potential Benefits and Features
The integration of a direct media playback feature within SkyDrive has yet to be officially confirmed or denied by Microsoft, but the potential benefits are numerous. For instance, users could enjoy their media files on any device with internet access, eliminating the need for multiple storage solutions. This would be particularly useful for users who have large media libraries and want to access them on the go.
Moreover, the scan-and-match feature mentioned in the announcement could revolutionize how users manage their music collections. By automatically matching tracks in a user’s library with those available in the Xbox Music catalog, Microsoft could offer a more streamlined and efficient way to organize and access music. This feature could also help in reducing storage space by avoiding duplicate files.
Additionally, the integration could pave the way for more advanced features such as playlist synchronization, offline playback, and even social sharing options. Imagine being able to create a playlist on your Xbox console and having it instantly available on your smartphone or tablet via SkyDrive. Such features would significantly enhance the user experience and make SkyDrive a more attractive option for media storage.
The integration could also have implications for other Microsoft services. For example, it could lead to better synergy between SkyDrive and other Microsoft products like Windows Media Player, Groove Music, and even Microsoft Office. This could create a more cohesive ecosystem where all Microsoft services work seamlessly together.
The integration of a media player within SkyDrive could also have competitive implications. With other cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox offering various media playback options, Microsoft’s move could help it stay competitive in the cloud storage market. It could also attract new users who are looking for a more integrated media experience.
As more information becomes available, we will keep you updated as always. For more information on the snippets discovered in the code jump over to the website.
Source: Engadget
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