Microsoft has announced Xbox Music, a streaming service and storefront that can sync music and playlists across a variety of Windows devices.

The first iteration of the app will support Windows 8 and Windows NT PCs and tablets, Windows 8 smartphones, and Xbox 360s (provided the user has a Gold subscription).

The free version of the app offers unlimited streaming of its 30 million song catalogue for six months, after which time streaming is restricted to a set number of hours.

Alternatively, users can pay AU$11.95 per month for an Xbox Music Pass which removes ads on the service, allows unlimited streaming and playback, and grants “offline access” to songs.

An Xbox Music Pass also gives Xbox 360 owners unlimited access to “tens of thousands of music videos”.

Both versions of Xbox Music allow custom playlist creation and include a Smart DJ feature, the latter of which launches instant mixes based on favourite artists.

The Xbox Music Store allows the purchase of single tracks or entire albums, and will be open to those using Windows 8 or Windows RT tablets and PCs, or Windows 8 phones. The availability of the store on Xbox 360 is unclear at this stage.

Next year, cloud storage and more social features will be added to the app across all platforms.

Xbox Music will be available on Xbox 360 tomorrow, and on Windows 8 and Windows RT PCs and tablets as well as Windows 8 phones later this month.

Additional platforms including other smartphones would be included at a later date, said Microsoft.