Microsoft has launched a beta version of its MSN music service, which offers 99 cent downloads in Windows Media format. “Our goal with the MSN Music service is to finally bring digital music to the masses by offering what we believe is the largest and highest quality catalog of legal music on the Internet, available on the broadest selection of portable devices,” said Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president for MSN. Microsoft said it has licensed one million songs from all the major record labels and over 3,000 independent labels. However, only 500,000 tracks will be initially available. A final version of Microsoft’s service is expected to be completed in mid-October.