Microsoft continues to improve its Groove Music service, updating the Windows 10 app and expanding the service’s integration with third-party solutions such as Sonos. Music discovery remains a weakness, however, particularly compared with Microsoft’s Zune service that had some potent discoverability capabilities.
This morning, the Windows blog announced a new way that Microsoft is looking to help you find more music to enjoy. Groove Music will now be integrated directly with iHeartRadio, the purveyor of live digital radio streaming that offers up thousands of US live radio stations. Whatever your tastes, it’s likely that iHeartRadio has a station for you.
“We are thrilled to bring iHeartRadio to Groove and create a complete, end to end music experience for Windows 10 consumers,” said Todd Brix, GM of the Windows Store and Developer Marketing for Microsoft. “Groove delivers one place to access your music, your radio stations and your premium subscription music.”
To enjoy iHeartRadio without a Groove Music Pass*, simply go to the artist’s page that best fits yourmood [sic]. If there’s an artist-based custom radio station available from iHeartRadio, you will see the option right on the page. Click on it whenever you’re ready to listen – we will even help you install the iHeartRadio app if you don’t currently have it – and then just lean back and enjoy your station.
As far as we can tell, the Groove Music app will require a future update to enable the iHeartRadio integration, as we’re not seeing it show up in Groove Music just yet. Regardless, we’re excited to see Microsoft adding new discoverability into Groove Music.
