Google’s music service is coming!
Hmm is it only me who haven’t heard about Google’s coming music service?! Just found this interesting article on Mediapost – looks like we finally can get rid of iTunes 🙂
It’s already been widely reported that Google is prepping a music download service tied to its search engine for a late-year debut (to be followed by an online subscription service next year).
Now, music industry sources tell the NY Post that the search giant’s iTunes killer is on — and perhaps even ahead of — schedule.
“Google’s plan to challenge Apple’s dominance in the music marketplace is advancing more rapidly than expected,” reports The Post. “The search giant’s Android whiz, VP Andy Rubin, is said to be having ‘accelerated’ talks with a music-industry group publishing firm in hopes of gaining digital publishing rights to as many songs as possible to enable the launch of a Google Music store.”
According to 9to5Mac.com, “Google’s attempt to build an iTunes-killer is gaining momentum with the search giant now speaking to publishing companies after successful discussions with record labels.”
“Google is said to be in ‘accelerated’ talks with the Harry Fox Agency, which is the largest owner of mechanical music licenses in the Unites States, to build out its Music store,” notes Fortune. “Google would need to have Harry Fox signed up before it could start selling major label music on its own … Google currently sells lots of music, though it fulfills orders through Amazon and iTunes.”
“Successful discussions with record labels, followed by the promise of an excellent cloud based service that can be accessed via Android, makes Google’s impending music service incredibly appealing,” writes MacStories.com. “With the opportunity to instantly open-up a new market to millions of new users and the desire to expand past Apple’s iron fist, there’s an interest here that can’t be avoided.”
Last month, unnamed sources told The Wall Street Journal of Google’s music store. At the time, however, it reported: “Google’s proposals [to music industry execs] are still vague … and it’s unclear whether it has struck any deals with record labels so far.”
Presently, the digital music download business is dominated by Apple’s iTunes, with about a 28% market share, followed by Amazon and Wal-Mart, with 12% shares, respectively.
Citing multiple unnamed music industry sources in mid-June, CNet reported that Google could debut its own music service as early as the fall. In May, the search giant gave attendees to its I/O conference a demonstration of a Web-based iTunes competitor.
