Microsoft today launched Microsoft Music Deals, a new app for Windows and Windows Phone users looking to save money when buying tunes. You can download it now from the Windows Store and the Windows Phone Store.
The company is promising that every Tuesday, 101 top albums will be available for under $2 each, plus you'll be able to buy debut albums at $0.99 and "timeless classics" for $1.99. The app is really just a jumping-off point; any album you pick in Microsoft Music Deals will redirect you to the Xbox Music app for Windows 8/8.1 and Windows Phone 8/8.1.
You might be wondering why Microsoft didn't just build this functionality straight into Xbox Music. It probably comes down to noise: Microsoft Music Deals can give you Live Tile updates and push notifications when new deals become available. We would argue it's probably easier to get interested users to download a new app than to get a subset of existing users to turn on an optional feature.
This week, the deals include Slipknot's latest heavy metal album ".5: The Gray Chapter" for $0.99 as well as Phil Collins' "No Jacket Required," Prince's "Purple Rain," Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" (Super Deluxe), Maroon 5's "V," and 5 Seconds Of Summer's debut album for under $2 each. In other words, if you've purchased music at any point during your life, chances are Microsoft Music Deals will have something that catches your eye.
It seems like every company that has to do with music is looking for a way to entice users to its platform with deals, new subscription offerings, and, of course, a growing list of features. Companies ranging from Spotify to Apple are involved in a price war, and you have to wonder: How much lower can the price of music go?