It said (somewhere) that a browser based client is in the works (as well as iOS and Android clients). It won't work on Win7 because it is a Metro app. I guess they could have updated Zune with free streaming, but I guess they are done with support of Zune.
The popularity of services such as pandora, spotify and even <cough> itunes is because it reaches a wide audience and someonewhat platform independent (except itunes)
What better way to get people involved in XMusic than getting as many ears on your product. If Win7 has
600 million sales so far, your basically excluding a lot of users.
If MS wants xmusic to be
thee music service then having the marketing/salesmen restrict the service to only Win8/WP8 is not the way to go. I know they say they a browser,iOS and android version is coming soon but I expect MS to take a their usual time to bring things to market.
APPLE
With apple
reportedly coming out with a streaming services. MS need to get there first and fast. They have lost on a few media market opportunities by taking their time. With the reach of iTunes and its customers it might say that if apples launches within 6months with browser based streaming services as well as iOS app...then its game over for xmusic. For better or worse iTunes is the reigning king of music/media and MS should try to knock them out quickly.
Remember back in
2009, APPLE purchased the Lala streaming services...and just like with their map company purchases years ago, they intend to do something with this.