Gadgetory

Microsoft is singing a new streaming tune I'm Bridget Carey and this is your CNN update Microsoft is launching its new streaming music service called Xbox music and it's designed to compete with services like iTunes and Spotify Xbox music has a library of 30 million songs for users to stream any song they want create playlists or stations even download songs but there are several drawbacks starting Tuesday Xbox music will be available on the Xbox 360 but it requires a $10 monthly subscription yeah and that's on top of already paying for an Xbox Live account you can try it free though for 30 days Windows Phone 8 users will also need a subscription to use it on a phone however you can listen to a free version with commercials on Windows 8 PCs and tablets when Windows 8 arrives on October 26th Xbox music will be the default music player but after six months the free ad-supported version will be limited to 10 hours of playback per month by comparison Spotify doesn't limit how long you can listen to the ad-supported version and Spotify is on more devices so why would you want Xbox music the idea is that all your playlists will be in sync across Windows devices and someday apps for Apple and Android will be released Microsoft's goal right now is to hook you into the Windows 8 ecosystem Windows 7 users are also out of luck Sprint will be getting a big financial boost next year a Japanese mobile carrier called Softbank just bought majority controls sprint for twenty point one billion dollars Softbank will also prompt another eight billion dollar investment into improved Sprint's Network nothing will change right now the deal isn't expected to close until the middle of next year the cache though can help sprint expand its 4G LTE coverage area Sprint only offers these faster speeds to 24 areas to compare Verizon has LTE in 400 areas we have another iPad Mini clue mobile geek published a screenshot of an electronics retailer inventory list which lists the iPad Mini coming in both Wi-Fi and cellular versions for several different memory options if you believe this list it shows the iPad Mini coming with eight gigs as well as 1632 and 64 gigabyte options if you're looking for a cheaper game system for the holidays a Nintendo has dropped the price of the week to 130 dollars this isn't the new Wii U this is the current system but for that price you'll get it in black with Wii Sports and we sport resort as well as a black Wii Remote Plus and nunchuck controller so basically starting on October 28th an entire Nintendo Wii game system cost less than the new Apple iPod Nano go figure that's your tech news update for today you can find links to all today's stories on the blog cnet.com slash our studios in new york I'm pretty carry