Internet search giant Google is said to be preparing a launch of a subscription-based music streaming service akin to existing offerings like Spotify, with the announcement possibly coming as soon as this week at the company's Google I/O Developers Conference.
Citing people familiar with Google's plans, The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday reported the company has already lined up deals with Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group for the rumored service.
Google is expected to announce the initiative at this year's Google I/O, which is set to kick off on Wednesday, as the company has previously used the conference to unveil similar projects like the Nexus Q media streaming device.
The Internet titan already offers songs through the Google Play store for Android, but the media service is much like iTunes in that tracks and albums are sold on a per unit basis. Sources claim the as yet unannounced streaming service will use a subscription model, granting users access to a large library of music.
Pricing and the presence of ads in the purported service remains unknown.
Apple is also widely rumored to be planning an entrance into the streaming music industry with its so-called "iRadio" service, which is also reported to be based on the for-pay subscription model.
The Cupertino, Calif., company is also thought to be courting the "big three" labels, but low-ball royalty offers are said to holding up the process. Most recently reports claimed talks were once again stalled as Apple and Sony couldn't come to an agreement on licensing terms.
Rumors regarding iRadio have been circulating for months, but there has yet to be any concrete evidence pointing to an imminent rollout.
32 Comments
I use Spotify and love it. Not sure what Google could offer that would make me switch. Other than search I try not to use Google products if I can help it.
I wonder if Sony has been a last hold-out with Apple on iRadio because Sony is simultaneously trying to renegotiate movie royalties.
Oh, there's also some funny stuff going on in the Sony marketplace. This might be the overriding reason for Sony's slowness.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/100737358
Google heard that Apple was going into the subscription streaming music business so of course they are going to throw some POS beta crap out there to be first.
Google heard that Apple was going into the subscription streaming music business so of course they are going to throw some POS beta crap out there to be first.
How would Google "beta" the license agreements necessary to offer subscription streaming? That's what's holding up Apple.
i don't hate google. loathe and despise are probably more descriptive. i'm with rogifan when he says [quote name="Rogifan" url="/t/157527/google-to-reportedly-debut-paid-streaming-music-service-at-google-i-o#post_2326901"]Other than search I try not to use Google products if I can help it.[/quote] in the contest to earn and retain my trust that they'll do no evil to me, google doesn't stand a snowball's chance in hell.