Google Launches 'Music Beta' Cloud Service

[archipellago]

I'm with you on this one. I must be missing something because, while this Google offering is technically impressive, I'm just can't see people flocking to use it.

Streaming my music from the cloud is going to cost me! so I'd only ever use it once in a blue moon. I can't see myself uploading 20,000 songs just on the off-chance that the song I want to listen to at that moment is not on my mobile. I just don't get it

I'm interested to see what Apple do in this space with iCloud...

RTP.

you need to look at the music streaming stuff as just part of what Google are planning..their vision for mobile and home entertainment which so far is winning and winning well.

Their i/O today was certainly more impressive than anything Apple has done recently.

Assuming Google can deliver then this iOS vs Android thing is over before it even really began.

 

[bigwig]

Who's to say Google won't be gathering "signatures" of all the music you upload, and referring you to the RIAA for civil action when you upload your legally ripped lossless tracks?

 

[archipellago]

Who's to say Google won't be gathering "signatures" of all the music you upload, and referring you to the RIAA for civil action when you upload your legally ripped lossless tracks?

they might but what's their gain by doing so...?

 

[abhimat.gautam]

Funny how that tablet in the picture looks exactly like the Xoom but with no imprinted logos.

 

[theelysium]

The douchers are just trying to beat Apple to the punch.

It says its still in beta... When the F is Google's products not in Beta? We should just count this as it's completed version.

 

[ThisIsNotMe]

they might but what's their gain by doing so...?

Have to make money somehow.

Or did you think that all of these things Google gives away for "free" were actually "free"?

 

[jboy12]

Its good its a beta

Most of you would be complaining if they just released it as is. You would be screaming they should call this a beta before releasing it. Face it google has a different way of doing its R&D then apple. Google likes to be interactive with the consumer with their products. The extended betas give google a chance to fix any issues and add the features that the customers want to see. Most google betas are around 80~99% complete anyway and they are generally usable and have very few bugs. This is how google prefers to operate it is not a bad thing. As long as the consumer gets to use the service is all that matters in the long run.
\

 

[513]

Google seems to be unable to finish products before rolling them out. They're becoming marketing-driven instead of engineering-driven. Which makes perfect sense when you think about it. Google makes 96% of their profits from advertising.

Google might have finished Music and rolled it out later if Google I/O weren't happening right now. They needed a dog and pony show to distract the world from droid's post-openness. And their own version of Locationgate. (Let's see how long it takes for them to update all the versions of droid to fix that.)

But it's not just Google releasing beta-quality products. Look at RIM's half-baked PlayBook with no native e-mail app. And Motorola's Xoom that still doesn't have a pad-capable OS. And all the El Cheapo iPad clones: the Coby Kyros, Sylvania Magni, and Camangi FM600 are all out there. Somewhere.

Don't believe me? Here's proof:

http://www.cobyusa.com/?p=prod&prod_num_id=10494&pcat_id=1013

http://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-GNET31201X6S-10-Inch-G-Netbook-Processor/dp/B001O0E5SS

http://www.lifeatmost.com/tablet-pc/camangi-fm600-7-inch-android-tablet-running-froyo/

You are so stupid, Google isn't responsible for all the devices.
Those Tablets aren't certified by Google, they don't have access to the Android Market.

So Google doesn't count them as activated devices.

The source code is available online, everyone could build a tablet, but with no acces to the market, means no Google Maps, Gmail, Goggles, etc.

 

[bigwig]

they might but what's their gain by doing so...?

They get the record company contracts they wanted.

 

[ThisIsNotMe]

Its really sad that Apple is being beaten by the same tactics Microsoft used to beat Apple the first go around.

Google has massive market share and can now capitalize on it by continuing to give away what Apple charges an arm and a let for.

Its sad because Apple makes one hell of a product.

 

[aohus]

Sorry, but I use iPods and iPhones because they are great music players. That's why I paid the $300, because they aren't crap players like the Inspire 4G.

Your use case is a very poor Rube Goldberg device that doesn't really solve any real problems, especially considering iTunes songs aren't DRM anymore.

you paid $300 just for the music player?

that 'Inspire 4G' can choose from a myriad of music players from the android store that is as good if not better than the stock iOS music player.

heck, some music players can play lossless (FLAC,AAC,WAV,etc) no problems.

and btw, one doesn't need a computer (iTunes) to transfer music to your phone on Android. all you need is SD card on Android OS. With iOS, you HAVE to store them on iTunes first (aka bloatware), then sync it to your phone. What a cumbersome method of getting your music onto your phone.

 

[archipellago]

They get the record company contracts they wanted.

at the expense of all their credibility and PR?

not a chance, besides running to the record co.'s feels more like Apple would want to do it.

Fundamentally there is a different ethos behind the android vs iOS argument.

Google are for choice and low cost provisions where the major corps. pay to serve you their ads and allow Google to make money.

iOS is all about Apple telling people what to make, how to make it and then how to deliver it....but....crucially make the end user pay....


not what Google wants or frankly cares about.

Hence them making Flash work on Android.

A flash app or ad can be viewed on a PC or MAC or Android device, one web app (e.g. picnic) is needed....... an app store is unnecessary if the apps are in flash. Google doesn't care about making money from users via the marketplace, they want the corps to pay.... via Ads.

a difference in approach, pay ya money take ya chance.

History says open beats closed very time and certainly Android has great momentum, can Apple change that?

Who knows, it'll be good to watch though!

Apple need to do something about the TCO of iphone though...thats the block at the moment.

Android can and will undercut them on TCO by 60 or 70%.

hard sell at that point.

 

[sladey]

ooohh... I nearly wet my pants!

This is gonna work so great for me when I'm

... on a plane
... in a tunnel
... out of internet range
... on a limited internet plan of any kind

What a good idea having everything in the clo...

(transmission interrupted)

 

[513]

This is gonna work so great for me when I'm

... on a plane
... in a tunnel
... out of internet range
... on a limited internet plan of any kind

What a good idea having everything in the clo...

(transmission interrupted)

Oh God, watch the keynote and come back please.
There is an off line mode.

 

[Worf]

Google has seriously raised the bar with the I/O keynote. Apple better have one massive show in store for WWDC.

Where have you been? The past years' news has been more exciting. I like the I/O conference but the past few years have tantalized us with exciting products that failed to take off and were amiss in some features and pricing. E.g: Google TV, Wave, Chrome Web Store, & Google Music last year. I feel that this year it's more of the same. I like Google Music and the free 20,000 songs for uploading is great but this is not the same service we were told to be sure to be released last year. I guess the music labels still prefer and iTunes to stay the primary service for music and movies. I'm sure Google's original plan of Google Music, had it been approved, would have been much more consumer friendly in terms of features but alas no compromises were to be made in time. Also no new facebook competitor again? I suppose this might be a good thing since Google releases too many half baked products in beta.

I anticipate WWDC to be much more exciting. A viable cloud service without the requisite to upload your songs, New Apple productivity apps, possible iPhone 5, iOS 5 and much more.

 

[Jcoz]

and btw, one doesn't need a computer (iTunes) to transfer music to your phone on Android. all you need is SD card on Android OS. With iOS, you HAVE to store them on iTunes first (aka bloatware), then sync it to your phone. What a cumbersome method of getting your music onto your phone.

Wow awesome, so these magic SD cards appear out of thin air, preloaded with your favorite tunes?

Sign me up bro

Oh wait, you are saying those SD cards need to be loaded with music by what? A computer?

Never mind I guess.....

 

[dethmaShine]

Really? Is anything that Google announced today shocking or revolutionary? So far they have announced they are trying to cure fragmentation which they announced last year and still hasnt worked. Movie rentals and clould storage is old news and they are finally catching up. So far there is nothing surprising to me.

Where have you been? The past years' news has been more exciting. I like the I/O conference but the past few years have tantalized us with exciting products that failed to take off and were amiss in some features and pricing. E.g: Google TV, Wave, Chrome Web Store, & Google Music last year. I feel that this year it's more of the same. I like Google Music and the free 20,000 songs for uploading is great but this is not the same service we were told to be sure to be released last year. I guess the music labels still prefer and iTunes to stay the primary service for music and movies. I'm sure Google's original plan of Google Music, had it been approved, would have been much more consumer friendly in terms of features but alas no compromises were to be made in time. Also no new facebook competitor again? I suppose this might be a good thing since Google releases too many half baked products in beta.

I anticipate WWDC to be much more exciting. A viable cloud service without the requisite to upload your songs, New Apple productivity apps, possible iPhone 5, iOS 5 and much more.

True.

WHAT DID GOOGLE DO TODAY?

All I could understand:

1. Cure Fragmentation:
a. Agreed fragmentation present.
b. Same promise last year; didn't do anything. Remember, Google is all about broken promises.
c. Carriers/partners boggled. Sorry.

2. Android 3.1
a. Increase widget size.
b. USB host
c. Some UI tweaks

3. Android IceCreamSandwich
a. Single OS for all
b. That's all

4. Android Home
a.
b.

I can't believe people are rolling over this I/O. Last year was awesome. Not that great, but still a huge step for android. This year was just ... puss or fuss. Boring and nothing interesting.

 

[dethmaShine]

You are so stupid, Google isn't responsible for all the devices.
Those Tablets aren't certified by Google, they don't have access to the Android Market.

So Google doesn't count them as activated devices.

The source code is available online, everyone could build a tablet, but with no acces to the market, means no Google Maps, Gmail, Goggles, etc.

Yup. Even if it was, Google would have just said. Ask the carriers: we don't know ****.

Proof? Google Voice Sprint Issue, Google Nexus One T-Mobile Issue

On another note, Google is responsible for Android; wherever and howsoever it runs on a device. So much for open, eh?

 

[MacNewsFix]

The douchers are just trying to beat Apple to the punch.

It says its still in beta... When the F is Google's products not in Beta? We should just count this as it's completed version.

That way if it borks, they have plausible deniability.

 

[inkswamp]

Google has seriously raised the bar with the I/O keynote. Apple better have one massive show in store for WWDC.

Seemed pretty lackluster to me. Some incremental updates to Android, a beta music service and some too-techie-for-non-geek demos. Sort of disappointing actually (but then again, maybe they're trying to avoid promising the moon, like last year.)

But hey, if you measure it in slams on Apple, then I guess it was a roaring success.

 

[JGIGS]

If you want it with you all the time then why don't you put it on your damn iPod?

Seriously. There are so many products and services that are coming out that I just don't get why everyone is supposed to need it. I have friends telling me how I need to have an ipad. I have a laptop and iphone that service me just fine.

As for these music cloud services I don't know much about them but I would think since its streaming it must alter the sound quality somewhat?

I'm silly but my ipod and iphone are all the music on the go that I need.

 

[Worf]

True.

WHAT DID GOOGLE DO TODAY?

All I could understand:

1. Cure Fragmentation:
a. Agreed fragmentation present.
b. Same promise last year; didn't do anything. Remember, Google is all about broken promises.
c. Carriers/partners boggled. Sorry.

2. Android 3.1
a. Increase widget size.
b. USB host
c. Some UI tweaks

3. Android IceCreamSandwich
a. Single OS for all
b. That's all

4. Android Home
a.
b.

I can't believe people are rolling over this I/O. Last year was awesome. Not that great, but still a huge step for android. This year was just ... puss or fuss. Boring and nothing interesting.

I'm not sure what to make of the Android ice cream sandwich update but I do think that Google is performing lip service in saying that they, manufacturers and the carriers have agreed to 'timely updates'. However, in the end, no matter what, that is defined by the carriers and manufacturers themselves. When pressed for questions on the matter Google also was unable to give direct and absolute responses on what they and the carriers expect and agree to do regarding updates. Of course it makes sense that every carrier and manufacturer also sign on to the deal, they do not have to make any promises and it's good PR for them all around.

 

[jedivulcan]

True.

WHAT DID GOOGLE DO TODAY?

All I could understand:

1. Cure Fragmentation:
a. Agreed fragmentation present.
b. Same promise last year; didn't do anything. Remember, Google is all about broken promises.
c. Carriers/partners boggled. Sorry.

2. Android 3.1
a. Increase widget size.
b. USB host
c. Some UI tweaks

3. Android IceCreamSandwich
a. Single OS for all
b. That's all

4. Android Home
a.
b.

I can't believe people are rolling over this I/O. Last year was awesome. Not that great, but still a huge step for android. This year was just ... puss or fuss. Boring and nothing interesting.

Agreed. Ice Cream Sandwich will melt by the time it actually rolls out to existing users.

Google launches Google Music, which is essentially a website with an introductory video and a sign up sheet.

In retrospect, last year fell flat. They announced a new version of Android which rolled out to everyone over the course of six months and they announced Google TV. Google TV was an astounding and skyrocketing success and so was Google Chrome OS *insert immense sarcasm*.

If Google keeps on giving out Chrome OS and Android tablets to people, we'll see a huge adoption jump by this time next year.

Google is just following competition and speculation. They launched Google Music as almost a reaction to Amazon Cloud Player and has nothing to show for it with, again, except for a video of it and an invite list. Apple is rumored to be entering the cloud music foray.

Google, to me, is taking competition for granted since it's mainly a company selling advertisements and isn't really, truly a consumer software company like Apple or Microsoft is. Their value and stock price don't reflect at all the fact that they aren't launching Google Music on day one.

Yes, it's kind of a grandiose opinion of Google that all might not share... but it's what I think.

 

[Vitaminp]

+1.

today feels like war on apple day:

1) microsoft buys skype, poised to set up a facetime competitor across windows devices and xbox.
2) google announces a flurry of android related developments that challenge ios, itunes, etc.
3) youtube begins its assault on itunes by announcing movie rentals.

If nothing else, maybe this will finally force apple to rewrite (or rethink) itunes so that it stops sucking. I'm also wondering how much longer apple thinks it can sit out the tv market before it's too late. At the very least, it needs to sign up some partners to carry apple tv as an os. And that means it probably needs to have its own little "ice cream sandwich" moment where it streamlines ios across apple tv, iphone, ipad, and lion.

Google wants android to be compatible with literally every object that plugs into a socket. Apple should want the same.

+1.

 

[NJMetsHero]

I can't be the only one who thinks this is sort of stupid. Why would I want to rely on the internet to listen to my music when I can just store in on my computer or iPod or something? Just raises the chance of something going wrong. I hope Apple does it better when they inevitably do this.