If you're a current Xbox Music user and have been mulling over whether to upgrade your 360 to a One this Christmas, it might be worth considering that you won't have to pay for that music subscription if you already have a gold account on the new console.

Announced by Microsoft's Albert Penello, we now know (via OXM) that as long as you have a gold live account on the Xbox One, “You don't have to subscribe.” However, he did add the caveat that “you will get periodic ads,” so it's not a perfect experience. Presumably if you want to get rid of those ads, you'll be able to pay an extra premium fee to remove them.

The new version of the music service will support Bing search to help you find songs and artists you like. Also announced is the “Improved Collection Management,” feature, which will make your default starting point in the service, filled with your favourite tracks. Any music you've personally downloaded or any of your regularly visited artists on the music service, will be listed there.

Playlists will also see better integration, letting you jump between them and see which ones are which, just from a glance. Other Xbox Music devices like Windows Phone 8 and Xbox 360 can also be syncd up to provide comparable experiences.

KitGuru Says: I don't think this is going to sell any consoles, but it's a nice idea to make this free for Gold users as it'll massively increase the uptake. 

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