Microsoft is making its Xbox Music service available on Android and iOS devices, pitching it in direct competition with the likes of Apple’s iTunes and Spotify.

According to a Bloomberg report, the $9.99-a-month Xbox Music Pass – which provides unlimited, advertising-free streaming – can now be used for the first time on rival mobile OS platforms to Windows Phone.

“Music needs to be something that freely connects between devices for users to be happy,” said Scott Porter, principal program manager at XBox Music Windows, in an interview.

Listeners can access Xbox Music on a smartphone, tablet, Xbox 360 or the coming Xbox One video game console, Porter told Bloomberg. A free, ad-supported online version allows tracks to be shared with people who use an Apple PC.

In separate news, Microsoft sent out email invitations on Monday (9 September) to a 23 September event in New York. Dubbed the “Surface NYC event”, new Surface tablets – not unreasonably – are widely expected to be unveiled.