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Google Music Gains Free Ad-Supported Radio Tier in U.S.

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Google today announced that it's adding a free tier to its Google Music subscription service, just a week ahead of the launch of Apple Music. Apple Music doesn't include a free listening tier, but it is accompanied by a free ad-supported radio service that provides users with a way to access music without shelling out cash.

Google's free listening tier is built around Songza, the radio-based streaming service that Google purchased last July. It includes curated radio stations and playlists, which Google describes as human-curated and crafted "song by song" for moods and activities like working out or driving. It's currently available in the United States and rolling out to Android and iOS devices this week.

At any moment in your day, Google Play Music has whatever you need music for--from working, to working out, to working it on the dance floor--and gives you curated radio stations to make whatever you're doing better. Our team of music experts, including the folks who created Songza, crafts each station song by song so you don't have to. If you're looking for something specific, you can browse our curated stations by genre, mood, decade or activity, or you can search for your favorite artist, album or song to instantly create a station of similar music.
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Apple's own upcoming revamped radio service also has a heavy focus on human curation, headlined by the live Beats 1 radio station that will play music chosen by human DJs 24/7. It will be broadcast in more than 100 countries and led by former BBC DJ Zane Lowe and other famous DJs from Los Angeles, New York, and London, airing not only music but also exclusive interviews and music news.

Google, like Apple, is hoping that its free radio service will entice customers to subscribe to the company's paid music service. Google Play Music is priced at $9.99 per month and it offers a free 30-day listening trial.

Article Link: Google Music Gains Free Ad-Supported Radio Tier in U.S.
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2015/06/23/google-music-new-free-tier/
  • Happiest Pop Hits Radio
  • Kitchen Karyoke Classics Radio
  • Sunburnt Synths Radio
  • Sun Out Vibe Out Radio
  • Ultimate Girls Night Out Radio
Naming radio stations must be hard; I'll go easier on Beats 1.
 
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Reactions: Jessica Lares
Google Music is something I use almost daily, and have been since it was launched for $7.99. I have tried many other services, some with better features, some with better playlists, but the overall integration across multiple platforms and song quality, choice and suggestions are what separate this from others, in my opinion. Adding a free option won't cause me to cancel my existing sub, but hopeful that it makes the service even better by having more users (and thus, user input).
 
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Reactions: AleXXXa, CarpalMac and 69Mustang
Love Google Music, super awesome that it allows 50,000 songs to be uploaded for for free. Also a very decent app and online experience. Never had any connection issues either, with Spotify I sometimes get some errors. A radio service would entice me to perhaps explore more music, since for listening to some random music I go to Spotify now. Too bad it's US-only.
 
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Reactions: Roessnakhan
Is anyone surprised by this? And frankly…good for them. It's the right move.
 
Dilster3k said:
This company is so creepy. Why would I allow them to stalk me even more?

Free comes at a cost, in this case it's privacy.
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Please elaborate on how listening to free, previously cultivated playlists (in other words, NOT based on your listening history) is costing you privacy?

*And please use specific examples from this article, instead of the usual blanket statements of how Google is "selling" your privacy.
 
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Reactions: CarpalMac, Dj64Mk7, 69Mustang and 2 others
What would be different with this compared to Pandora?
I've tried a few different music providers in the past. To me they all seem the same.
I've spent years getting the stations on Pandora to play the music I want to hear at that time.
What is the advantage of doing this all over again for basically the same thing but a different name?
Maybe I'm just not understanding how some of these services work. As my wife says I'm not the brightest in the world anyway.
 
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Reactions: Benjamin Frost
I'm sorry but am I the only one that agrees completely with the artists? Ad supported subscriptions are not fair to the artist. These services would not exist if artists did not create art/music. They should be compensated very generously. Google using adds as they always do feels like a way to get away with screwing the artist over.
 
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Cronowerx said:
http://9to5mac.com/2015/06/23/google-play-music-radio/

"Google Play Music’s radio option will be available for users in the United States at launch with availability on the web starting today and support on iOS and Android following soon."

It's coming to iOS FIRST, then droid! Same as everything else:cool:
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You have very poor reading comprehension. It says it's available via the web today and support for "iOS and Android following soon." Nowhere in that sentence does it say it's coming to iOS first, then Android.
 
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Reactions: MacAddict1978, BigInDallas and TWSS37
This looks like Songza does it not? At least on songza.com its ad-free.

Edit: Didn't fully read the article. It appears it is Songza which has been around for a long time, Google just decided to slip it under the Google Music brand.
 
Scotharrell7 said:
I'm sorry but am I the only one that agrees completely with the artists? Ad supported subscriptions are not fair to the artist. These services would not exist if artists did not create art/music. They should be compensated very generously. Google using adds as they always do feels like a way to get away with screwing the artist over.
Click to expand...

Kind of like, oh I don't know, THE RADIO??? GTFO with the poor artist BS! If you're making good music that people want to hear you will be paid.
 
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