Google Music Now Free for Everyone, Music Comes to Android Market
Written by Alan Wednesday, 16 November 2011 06:04
Google has just held their much anticipated Music announcement, “These go to 11″, in Los Angeles. There have been high hopes for a Google Music Store and integration with the, still in beta, Google Music Beta service, which has been available since May. Google Music offers free cloud storage of up to 20,000 songs that you can then stream to any computer or Android device, but it has been invitation-only. So, what did we learn during the big announcement? Several things, and it will take a little time to break them down in detail, but here is a quick synopsis.
First, Google Music Beta is losing the beta part of it’s name and becoming available to everyone (US only). The 20,000 songs for free storage that was part of the beta will become permanent. Google Music is also adding several features, including “pinning” to make music available for times when you’re offline. The biggest addition though, is Music has come to the Android Market. Not only can you buy any song from the Market, it will also recommend songs based on your Google Music collection. When a song is purchased it will automatically be added to your collection and become available from anywhere.
The Google Music desktop app will gain a download button to allow users to get a local copy of any song in their music locker, including ones you purchase from the Android Market. The app also will play music videos and artist interviews. The mobile, desktop, and web apps will all allow for sharing of songs, and not just 90 second samples, but full-length versions of the tracks. Sharing will be integrated into Google+
Partners include 23 independent record labels and major ones like Universal, Sony, and EMI. Over 13 million songs will be available at the launch. They are also getting exclusive tracks from bands like the Rolling Stones, Dave Mathews, Shakira, and Cold Play. Google will also be working to promote unsigned bands by providing an “artists hub” to let bands create a page, upload, and sell their music. Artists can place a link on their YouTube videos to send viewers right to Google Music to buy the song. There is a one-time $25 registration fee for each band page.
Google has also partnered with T-Mobile and customers of the wireless service will be able to pay for music purchases through their cell phone bills. T-Mobile customers will also be getting free, exclusive music content.
All of the services announced will be available immediately. Music in the Android Market is now only at the web version of the Android Market, but will roll out to mobile devices over the next several days with a Market update. You can sign up for Google Music at music.google.com.
Related posts:
- Google Music Invitation Giveaway
- Hands On with Google Music Beta
- Integrate Google Music with Chrome
- Better Music Beta Lets You Control Google Music with Ease
- Use Google Music with Windows Media Player
