Microsoft Details Xbox 360's Last.fm Streaming

July 1, 2009 10:20 AM

Several new details regarding the Xbox 360's forthcoming ability to stream music from internet radio service Last.fm have emerged via a Joystiq interview with Microsoft.

Xbox Live Gold members will be able to freely stream Last.fm tunes later this year, but those with free Xbox Live Silver accounts will still be able to listen in. Xbox Live general manager Christina DeRosa explained that Silver folk "will be able access what we're considering a trial period of three hours a month, which comes with video advertising."

While Xbox Live Gold members can stream all they want, DeRosa added that the service will still be "ad-supported" unless one purchases a "premium" Last.fm subscription, which also comes with "more sophisticated personalization features, like Loved Tracks."

It's not known if Last.fm will be offering a specially priced or separate subscription for Xbox 360 owners--at present, the service offers optional subscriptions for $3 a month.

Chris Faylor

Chris Faylor was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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NFXFSX

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July 1, 2009 10:25 AM

Should be interesting. Wonder if we can stream the songs during games so I can really have a custom radio in GTA.
- Brainiacrk
  
   reply
  July 1, 2009 11:21 AM
  
  I would imagine that it will play over the top of the game, as opposed to being able to recognize any of your actions within the game. I believe that is how playing music on the xbox currently works for all games, though I haven't tried it specifically within GTA.
  
  Can anyone refute me on this? I may be wrong.
  - aqtrans
    
     reply
    July 1, 2009 11:27 AM
    
    Yeah that's how it works in almost all games. You bring up the in-game dashboard and just play music there. Every game I've tried it with never recognizes the music is playing and so you have to pause it manually to hear cutscenes.