Unveiling of Google Music Brings Major Rival to iTunes
Google has now launched the Android answer to Apple's iTunes - their new cloud-based music service is currently available in the US.
The Google Music service is integrated with social network Google+, allowing users to share songs with friends in their Circles, who can then listen to full-length tracks without the need to buy them.
In addition, downloaded music libraries can be synced across multiple devices via the cloud, to directly rival Apple's iMatch service.
It is not yet clear however when or if the search giant will launch Google Music in countries outside of the US, since this entails them negotiating separate deals with record labels in each new territory.
Nevertheless, the US service has signed content deals with more than 20 music labels, including EMI, Universal and Sony Music Entertainment, to build a library of more than 13 million songs that can be purchased and instantly downloaded to Android devices or Google TV.
Google Music also comes complete with a range of exclusive content, including previously unreleased live concert albums from popular bands. The service is useful to artists, as they can build their own hubs and upload content to directly engage with their fans.