Hasta La Gadget!

We’ve been hearing rumblings about Google’s plans for a Spotify-killer for what seems like forever now. More recently, there’s been word that the company’s YouTube brand is also getting set set to enter the space, albeit with some overlap from a Google-branded effort. Fortune spoke to some anonymous-type folks in the record industry who confirmed the latter, adding that the service is set to launch this year. The offering will apparently give users some free streaming, with additional features being made available for a subscription fee. The site reached out to YouTube, who offered the following bit of hopeful non-commitment:

While we don’t comment on rumor or speculation, there are some content creators that think they would benefit from a subscription revenue stream in addition to ads, so we’re looking at that.

So, you know, stay tuned.

Filed under: Software, Google

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Source: Fortune

J.Viewz’ mom must be so mad. He doesn’t just play with his food, he plays music with it. More »

Music sales are going up for the first time in 14 years and piracy is going down, largely because it is stupid-easy to hear any song you want without being a digital thief. “The music industry has adapted to the …

Google is looking into creating its own music streaming service, according to the folks over at the Financial Times. The service would offer free unlimited streaming, and would be in direct competition with similar services, such as Spotify. The service would be supported by ads, but word has it that an ad-free subscription version might also be available.

Google already offers its own music download store in the United States and various locations across Europe, and so the launch of its own streaming service would give it a leg up on its competitors, including Apple and Amazon, neither of which offer a streaming service. No information about what the subscription rates could be was provided.

According to the Times, Google is currently in talks with “big” music labels about the service. Such an endeavor will allow it to diversify its income, which presently comes primarily from advertising. The service will give users access to millions of tracks, and will follow in line with its plans to add a for-pay subscription to YouTube.

The launch of this music service is said to be impending, but no timeline or estimate as given. Google has not said anything official about the service, declining to comment when asked. There’s also no word on whether the streaming service will only be available in the United States, or whether it will be available elsewhere as well.

[via Financial Times]

Google reportedly to launch free unlimited music streaming service is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
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According to the Financial Times, Google is currently in talks with “big music labels to launch a streaming service to compete with companies such as Spotify.” Google previously launched its own digital music store over a year ago but this service will be different than the digital tunes shop, Google’s streaming music service will offer free unlimited access to songs (with advertisements), along with subscription options. [Financial Times] More »