According to a report by Tom Warren of The Verge, Microsoft is planning to announce a new music service at E3. The service, codenamed Woodstock, would replace the company"s current music service, Zune.
Woodstock, according to Warren"s report, would be a cross-platform service available through a web browser. Warren specifically mentions the service as being compatible with Windows 8, Android, iOS and the Xbox 360. Although not specifically mentioned, Woodstock would also presumably work on Microsoft"s Windows Phone platform. The Verge"s article describes the service as "Spotify-like," not requiring any browser plugins (possibly through the use of HTML5) and would "integrate deeply with Facebook."
Microsoft has been rumored to be looking to replace the Zune brand for some time, as the Zune moniker never met the company"s expectations. The company already began removing the Zune and Windows Live brands from Windows 8 earlier in the year. Just yesterday the company removed its Windows Phone app catalog from the Zune software, leaving Windows Phone users the opportunity to purchase apps either directly from their phones or from the Windows Phone Marketplace website.
E3, one of the world"s largest annual gaming expos, is scheduled to begin June 5 in Los Angeles. Earlier this month, it was announced Microsoft would host its press conference at 10 a.m. on June 6, making it the first press conference currently scheduled.