SoundCloud has launched an Xbox app that you can control with AI assistant Cortana

pulse

June 1, 2017 9:31 AM

Xbox One users can download the SoundCloud app from the Xbox App Store.

SoundCloud cofounder and CEO Alexander Ljung.

SoundCloud has launched its first games console app — on Microsoft's Xbox One.

The music streaming service announced the new app in a blog post on Wednesday, saying that it will allow gamers to listen to music as they play.

"Whether you're playing a first person shooter, the newest racing game, or your favorite sports title, you can beat your opponents with your music tastes by having SoundCloud on-hand as your perfect gaming partner," said SoundCloud.

The SoundCloud Xbox app is available to download from the Xbox App Store for both normal and premium SoundCloud users.

One nifty feature on the SoundCloud Xbox app is that it allows gamers to skip and pause music by talking to Cortana, Microsoft's virtual assistant, which sits inside the Xbox.

SoundCloud allows global superstars as well as amateur DJs to upload audio content to its platform. Founded in 2009 by Swedish sound designer Alexander Ljung and Swedish artist Eric Wahlforss, it is one of Berlin's best-known tech companies.

Other music streaming services such as Spotify and Pandora already have apps on the Xbox and other games consoles, so arguably SoundCloud is simply playing catchup with its rivals.

Investors have backed SoundCloud with $298 million (£231 million) and the company isn't yet profitable. While SoundCloud is burning through millions of euros as it struggles to find a reliable revenue stream, it is reportedly still on the acquisition radar of Silicon Valley giants like Google and Twitter.

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