Media
Google Takes a Swipe at Pandora and Apple, Launches Internet Music Service
Published:
Last Updated:
The Google Play Music combines some of the features of Internet radio offered Pandora Media Inc. (NYSE: P), although Pandora is advertising supported, and Spotify, a subscription service that claims more than 6 million subscribers. Google allows subscribers to upload 20,000 songs at no charge, whether purchased from Apple Inc.’s (NASDAQ: AAPL) or another source, and to play them back on a PC, tablet, or smartphone.
The odd thing about Google’s streaming music plan is that it really doesn’t make a compelling case for why to subscribe. About the only advantage it might offer to get users to switch from Spotify is that it’s seach function is very likely to be better. Whether its radio feature is superior to Pandora’s remains to be seen, but that’s hardly worth $7.99 or $9.99 a month.
Apple’s iTunes store and Amazon.com Inc.’s (NASDAQ: AMZN) MP3 store, of course, follow a pay-per-download model and the only question is when both of these giants decide to jump into the streaming music subscription business. Apple has made some noises about doing this, but no official acknowledgement so far. Apple, Amazon, and Google all offer cloud-based storage for a subscriber’s personal collection.
Far more interesting than this me-too music program would be some integration of YouTube, the single most dominant music streaming program in the world, with Google’s Android ecosystem. Such an integrated system could blow all Google’s competition out of the water. Today’s effort has got to be just a placeholder for something much different and much better.
Note to Google: The name Google Play Music All Access should be the first thing to get the heave-ho.
Take Charge of Your Retirement In Just A Few Minutes (Sponsor)
Retirement planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. The key is finding expert guidance—and SmartAsset’s made it easier than ever for you to connect with a vetted financial advisor.
Here’s how it works:
- Answer a Few Simple Questions. Tell us a bit about your goals and preferences—it only takes a few minutes!
- Get Matched with Vetted Advisors Our smart tool matches you with up to three pre-screened, vetted advisors who serve your area and are held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. Click here to begin
- Choose Your Fit Review their profiles, schedule an introductory call (or meet in person), and select the advisor who feel is right for you.
Why wait? Start building the retirement you’ve always dreamed of. Click here to get started today!
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
Our expert who first called NVIDIA in 2009 is predicting 2025 will see a historic AI breakthrough.
You can follow him investing $500,000 of his own money on our top AI stocks for free.