Andre Yoskowitz
16 Nov 2011 22:34
Google Music, the cloud streaming service introduced earlier this year, has moved out of beta today, adding a download catalog.
The store will compete directly with iTunes and Amazon MP3 but goes a step further by allowing users to trade and share songs with friends on Google+, the social network.
Just like rivals, tracks will cost $0.99 to $1.29 and around $9.99 per album but will be better quality at 320kbps.
Additionally, the original features of Google Music will remain intact, allowing users to upload 20,000 tracks to the cloud for free and stream them on Android devices or any PC with Internet access.
Looking to get new artists out there, Google has created Artist Hub, a service that allows unsigned bands to build storefronts in Google Music and sell from their YouTube pages. The fee is just $25 (one-time) for the service.
Google Music has 8 million tracks from Sony Music, Universal Music and EMI but is notably missing Warner Music, who has so far declined to sign a licensing agreement.
Check out the service here and go download the app (if you have an Android device) ASAP: Google Music