Google launches music service

SAN FRANCISCO - Google unveiled a new online music store yesterday, in a move to challenge the dominance of market leaders Apple and Amazon.com.

09:58 AM Nov 17, 2011

The new service feature millions of songs from record labels EMI, Sony Music and Universal, but will not have music from Warner Group, the fourth of the major record labels.

Google, which introduced the service at an event at the Mr Brainwash Studios in Hollywood, California, said consumers in the United States will be able to purchase the music through its Android Market, which offers smartphone apps, electronic books and videos.

To help jumpstart the new music store, Google said it will offer one free song for consumers to download everyday.

Google will also allow consumers to share purchased songs with friends on the Google+ social network. The feature will give users of Google+ a "free, full-play" of songs purchased by their friends.

Google is playing catch-up to its biggest rivals Apple, Amazon.com and Facebook, who have all to varying degrees integrated music into their core online and mobile products.

Analysts say selling online music is unlikely to provide much of a lift to Google's revenue. But they say Google needs to be in the market to ensure that its mobile efforts based on Android can match offerings from competitors such as Apple and Amazon.

Without a music service, Android devices such as smartphones and tablets may not seem as attractive to consumers looking for a product that offers a seamless media experience. REUTERS