NEWS BRIEF: Microsoft Readies New Music Service, Apple Soars, Jay-Z, BandsInTown, ReDigi & More

Microsoft readying cross-platform, Xbox music service – It won't require any browser plug-ins to work, according to the report, and could work on Android, iOS, and Windows 8, among other platforms. (The Verge)

• Apple's profit soared past $11 billion last quarter with iPhone sales driving growth. (NYT) $1.9B in iTunes sales was a major contributor, as well.  But before the music biz gets too excited, remember that app sales dominate. Apple stock jumped 9% or $50 in late morning trading Wedmesday.
• Jay-Z Launches Facebook Game ‘Empire’ for You to Take Over the World (Mashable)

MORE:

• Concert tracking app BandsInTown has added a free Android app.
• Possible change of lawyers representing ReDigi in Capitol Records v ReDigi (RIvsTP)
• Google+ gets its own 'share' button – New button, which allows users to spread content on Google's social network, inverts its colors when a user clicks it. (CNet)
• Aderra and Record Memory have joined to form Aderra Media Works, a company that combines content delivery technologies from Aderra with the custom flash drive designs that Record Memory has produced for clients including The Beatles, Lady Gaga, Bon Jovi, David Guetta & Bob Dylan.