Google move on music

Google has launched its much hyped music service in the US with a mix of streaming, downloads and social media elements connected to its growing ‘Google +’ service.

The beta was launched in May this year and allowed users to upload tracks to the cloud and stream it and the new service expands on this significantly, synching entire music libraries across devices.

In a further indication that the company intend to go straight up against Apple, Spotify, Amazon et al for online music services, Google has also launched Android Market, a music store offering 13 million tracks from Universal, Sony, EMI and the independent labels represented by rights group Merlin. Users can also share one free complete play of a track with friends through ‘Google +’.

The launch was accompanied by some high-profile exclusive releases including a Rolling Stones live album from 1973, a five-track live EP from Coldplay and a live EP from Shakira, which together would form possibly the weirdest play-list in the history of recorded sound. Don’t let anyone say that Google aren’t right there on the cutting edge of emerging talent!

That said, there is an interesting twist involving emerging artists, as those who own the rights to their own music can sell it through Google Music, using the ‘artist hub’ to sell directly to fans.