Spotify for Xbox One released today for free and Premium users

Spotify for Xbox One is available for download today, with the new streaming music app finally launching on Microsoft's console. Late to the game after the version of the Spotify player for Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, its arrival is nonetheless a welcome one for gamers looking to escape the normal soundtrack for their favorite titles. It also takes advantage of Spotify's cross-network control system, so that you don't have to leave whatever you're playing to change track.

Just as on desktop and mobile, there's support for all the usual Spotify playlists – including those organized by mood and genre – and access to your weekly Discover playlist and the new releases. Importantly, Spotify for Xbox One also supports background playback. That means, even if you're playing a game, you can still have streaming music playing rather than the game's own soundtrack. It doesn't appear that Spotify for Xbox One will support offline playback, although that's less of an issue for a console that's permanently connected to the network.

Signs of the app's imminent arrival were spotted earlier in the week, with Microsoft's own Major Nelson seen testing the music service. Spotify later confirmed that yes, its release was indeed imminent. It comes more than two years after Spotify's client for Sony's PlayStation was released.

Usefully, you don't need to be in front of your TV – with controller in hand – to actually manage playback. Thanks to Spotify Connect, as long as your Xbox One and your smartphone are on the same WiFi network, you can control what's playing from the Spotify app. Tapping "Devices Available" should reveal the console in the list of playback options. That means you can control playback without having to exit the game you're currently playing.

You'll find the Spotify Music for Xbox One app in the Entertainment menu, under "All apps" when it's released today. In an unusual step, you'll be able to use it whether you're paying for a Spotify Premium account or just using the free, ad-supported service.

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