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Google today announced an overhaul of its Google Play Music streaming platform, with new contextually aware, opt-in music recommendation features that promise a more personal music listening experience.

Building on its stated aim of helping users find the right music for any moment, Google says the fresh take on its streaming service is "smarter, easier to use, and much more assistive", thanks in large part to deeper integration with machine learning technology that allows it to offer content based on user location, time of day, current activity, and music preferences.

Google-Play-Music-redesign-930x634-800x545.jpg

Central to the overhaul is a redesigned home screen that Google likens to "the ultimate personal DJ", which learns what you like to listen to and when you like to listen to it, presenting content accordingly. Examples include suggesting a users' workout playlist when they arrive at the gym, offering music for unwinding after a day at the office, and recommending additional songs from new artists the user has previously expressed an interest in.
To provide even richer music recommendations based on Google's understanding of your world, we've plugged into the contextual tools that power Google products. When you opt in, we'll deliver personalized music based on where you are and why you are listening -- relaxing at home, powering through at work, commuting, flying, exploring new cities, heading out on the town, and everything in between. Your workout music is front and center as you walk into the gym, a sunset soundtrack appears just as the sky goes pink, and tunes for focusing turn up at the library.
In addition to the new opt-in personalization features, the overhauled service also includes a new regularly updated offline playlist based on what users listened to recently, enabling subscribers to listen to their favorite music even if they lose their connection.

Powered by the company's machine learning systems and teams of human curators, Google promises the experience will "keep evolving" and improve the more it's used, whether that's through the company's recently launched Google Home smart speaker, on Chromecast devices such as the new 4K Chromecast Ultra, or its Google Pixel smartphones, which were unveiled last month.

The price of Google Play Music remains $9.99 per month and the company says it's rolling out the revamped service globally this week across iOS, Android, and the web.

Article Link: Revamped Google Play Music Streams Content Based on User Location, Activity, and Time of Day
 
Google today announced an overhaul of its Google Play Music streaming platform, with new contextually aware, opt-in music recommendation features that promise a more personal music listening experience.

Building on its stated aim of helping users find the right music for any moment, Google says the fresh take on its streaming service is "smarter, easier to use, and much more assistive", thanks in large part to deeper integration with machine learning technology that allows it to offer content based on user location, time of day, current activity, and music preferences.

Oh, boy, Sounds like more homogenization of music tastes. Heaven forbid there be listeners that:
  • Are more interested in music from outside their own little corner of the globe.
  • Do not work the standard M-F 8-5 job -- and therefore have a different idea of "morning" "midday" "bedtime" and even "weekend".
  • Like to rest and chill with heavy metal, but work out to smooth jazz.
  • Have tastes that are completely contrary to what some marketroid thinks is "the popular music in this metropolitan area".
I've tried the curated playlists, AI playlists, etc of music services, and you know what? A tweaked iTunes DJ (a feature that is no longer in the program's current version) generally gives me a "radio station" that I enjoy more.
 
I use Google Music's storage locker, and I love it. Works just as well (maybe even better) than iTunes Match, and it costs me nothing.

However, music chosen for "me" based on my location? Here in Japan? Uh, no thanks, Google. Soundalike-lookalike-talentless idol bands are definitely NOT something I want to be force-fed.
 
Yeah I want google to spy on everything I do more..! No thanks!

You will have to come out of your cave at some point.
Just how good do you think any AI system can ever be for you, or anyone, when you keep everything secret from it?
Exactly like expecting a stranger in the street, who knows nothing about you, being of any use to you.
That's not reality.

Does a boss at work, keep every single thing secret from his or her assistant as they are worried the assistant will be telling everyone else, would not be much use as an assistant then!

Why are you so paranoid?
No one cares where you get your coffee from, or watch some porn. You are not that important, and neither are 99.999% of other people.
 
This brings me a cool answer for when anybody asks me again why I changed from being an Apple fan to a critic: Apple has become even worse than Google, which I though was mathematically impossible.
 
Ugh, can't anybody pick their own **** anymore? Why does everything need to be "curated"? Technology is awesome, but it doesn't have to replace every basic human functionality...
 
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You will have to come out of your cave at some point.
Just how good do you think any AI system can ever be for you, or anyone, when you keep everything secret from it?
Exactly like expecting a stranger in the street, who knows nothing about you, being of any use to you.
That's not reality.

Does a boss at work, keep every single thing secret from his or her assistant as they are worried the assistant will be telling everyone else, would not be much use as an assistant then!

Why are you so paranoid?
No one cares where you get your coffee from, or watch some porn. You are not that important, and neither are 99.999% of other people.

I agree a lot with what you said. Many are overprotective of information they give out but expect a system to be able to provide them results as if they actually know them. The true challenge is finding the fine line between what a system truly needs to be productive and useful and what a company is wanting for their own use.

A good example is the apple text prediction. Other keyboards, such as SwiftKey are extremely more accurate at what they do than Apple but they also collect more info. The Apple prediction is awful in my opinion and continues to fail to predict common phrases I say daily, yet many stick with them due to their privacy policy.

Either all companies form a line somewhere on what is needed or not needed or there will simply always be the need for the consumer to make the choice over who to trust and to go with the better system or features, or possibly settle for less in order to keep more private.
 
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You will have to come out of your cave at some point.
Just how good do you think any AI system can ever be for you, or anyone, when you keep everything secret from it?
Exactly like expecting a stranger in the street, who knows nothing about you, being of any use to you.
That's not reality.

Does a boss at work, keep every single thing secret from his or her assistant as they are worried the assistant will be telling everyone else, would not be much use as an assistant then!

Why are you so paranoid?
No one cares where you get your coffee from, or watch some porn. You are not that important, and neither are 99.999% of other people.
Theres a huge difference between AI enriching my life and AI as a tool to monetise my personal data and make it a company's core business.
 
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Why is everyone freaking out?

I'm in the music industry, I also pay for Google Play Music and trust me - 99% of people are useless about actively seeking out new music. And it's not even been that intuitive on GPM itself.

Anything that helps get good new music to listeners should be applauded. Also, this is opt-in so you don't HAVE to do it.
 
Why is everyone freaking out?

I'm in the music industry, I also pay for Google Play Music and trust me - 99% of people are useless about actively seeking out new music. And it's not even been that intuitive on GPM itself.

Anything that helps get good new music to listeners should be applauded. Also, this is opt-in so you don't HAVE to do it.
Unfortunately, every single post except yours of course...haven't learned to read
"In addition to the new opt-in personalization features"
 
Yeah I want google to spy on everything I do more..! No thanks!

Oh, boy, Sounds like more homogenization of music tastes. Heaven forbid there be listeners that...

Everything SeaFox said and still no EQ on IOS.

Both Google and Apple are trying too hard to force too many features into the simple act of listening to music. Can I just buy a few songs and have them on an easy to use player interface please...? PLEEEAASSE....?

Ugh, can't anybody pick their own **** anymore? Why does everything need to be "curated"? Technology is awesome, but it doesn't have to replace every basic human functionality...

Theres a huge difference between AI enriching my life and AI as a tool to monetise my personal data and make it a company's core business.

I swear to Jeebus. Reading comprehension is severely lacking in this thread. Either the quotes above are from people who didn't read the article or seriously didn't understand what they read. It's an OPT-IN option. It's not mandatory, it's not on by default. It takes a conscious decision to choose to use the feature. If someone chooses the feature that means they obviously see it as a value add.

For those of us with common sense, we realize we can continue doing what we've been doing and the feature doesn't affect us at all. I use GPM on a family plan. This feature doesn't appeal to me so I'm not going to opt in. See how easy that is?:rolleyes:
 
I swear to Jeebus. Reading comprehension is severely lacking in this thread. Either the quotes above are from people who didn't read the article or seriously didn't understand what they read. It's an OPT-IN option. It's not mandatory, it's not on by default. It takes a conscious decision to choose to use the feature. If someone chooses the feature that means they obviously see it as a value add.

For those of us with common sense, we realize we can continue doing what we've been doing and the feature doesn't affect us at all. I use GPM on a family plan. This feature doesn't appeal to me so I'm not going to opt in. See how easy that is?:rolleyes:
Oh it's OPT-IN! Now they are allowed to upload my data to their servers!

Thanks for enlightening me!

/sarcasm
 
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One day they will manage to add gapless playback to Android phones and I will send flowers over to their headquarters.

Seriously people. Stop fiddling with the interface and "curated" stuff. Make it PLAY MUSIC CORRECTLY first. Why is this so difficult.
 
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You will have to come out of your cave at some point.
Just how good do you think any AI system can ever be for you, or anyone, when you keep everything secret from it?
Exactly like expecting a stranger in the street, who knows nothing about you, being of any use to you.
That's exactly how I like it. I don't want anyone to try to figure out what my taste in music is.
 
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Both Google and Apple are trying too hard to force too many features into the simple act of listening to music. Can I just buy a few songs and have them on an easy to use player interface please...? PLEEEAASSE....?
Oh you poor dear... Forced to open an app and forced to listen to only what they allow. if you want to only download a few songs by a mp3 player.
 
Both Google and Apple are trying too hard to force too many features into the simple act of listening to music. Can I just buy a few songs and have them on an easy to use player interface please...? PLEEEAASSE....?
Well the previous comment to this is a bit sarcastic perhaps. But you can use iTunes (Mac + Win), Poweramp (Android) or whatever this is called on iOS. Disable streaming capabilities. Hey presto. I used Poweramp for a very, very long time and perhaps that spoiled me because it's perfect. Unlike Spotify (which is a hot mess), Google Play Music (which is just frustrating) and Apple Music (I don't have words to describe how buggy AM is).
 
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