Google Music
The Wall Street Journal reported Google is planning to launch an online music downloading service tied to its search engine, a move that would pit it against Apple and its popular iTunes site.
Google’s plans are still vague, but it has been “stepping up conversations” about offering music services online as well as over mobile phones that use its Android operating system, the Journal said, citing people familiar with the company’s talks with the music industry.
It was unclear whether Google had signed deals with record labels, the report said, adding that the launch of a music downloading store was still months away.
In a post today, mashable.com reports such a system has been touted for a while within Google.
“At Google I/O, Google showed off technology that would allow Android users to stream music off of their desktop computers right on to their phones. That’s very cool and offers a glimpse of what a cloud-based subscription service may offer. While Android can support direct over-the-air purchasing from the Amazon MP3 store, the overall music player and music experience still doesn’t quite have the finesse of iTunes and its integrated multi-device solution,” the post says.
Google and Apple have become competitors since the launch of Google’s Android operating system, a rival to Apple’s iPhone.
Google was not available for comment.