Google Launches A Streaming Music Service, Leaving Apple In The Dust
May 15, 2013
As expected, Google has announced a new subscription service for their Google Music platform. The new service will compete with Spotify and other streaming music services, and represents a big win for Google in their ongoing battle with Apple.
Announced at Google I/O, Google Play Music All Access provides users with music and recommendations regardless of platform. At launch, it will include millions of songs that may be played instantly, plus charts and playlists. For a limited time, the new service is priced at $7.99 per month, and comes with a free trial month. After July 1, the price jumps to $9.99.
Speaking at Google I/O, Google’s Chris Yerga calls the new service “radio without rules.”
As Aldrin Calimlim noted earlier, Google was able to pull together the new service thanks to new licensing deals with the top record labels. These include Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group. Meanwhile, recent reports have suggested that Apple has struggled signing the same companies for their own streaming music service, code-named "iRadio."
Personally, Google being able to release a music streaming service before Apple is a huge deal. Not only does it represent a coup of sorts for Google, but it also suggests that music companies are willing to say no to Apple when they feel that it is necessary. What this means going forward, of course, remains to be seen. Apple is expected to launch iRadio at their Worldwide Developers Conference next month.
We'll have much more to say about Google's new music streaming service in the coming days. In the meantime, see The Best Streaming Music Services: Rdio, Spotify, Slacker Radio And More.
Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
