It seems Google isn’t happy with just selling digital music to users via Google Play and is rumoured to be planning to launch a subscription-based music streaming service later this year.
Bloomberg cites two unnamed sources who are apparently familiar with the Android creator’s plans to create a music service that would rival the likes of Spotify and Deezer. Negotiations with major record labels are reportedly under way in order to secure licensing for the new service, as well as renewed deals for the use of songs in user-generated videos on YouTube.
An article from The Wall Street Journal (blocked by a paywall) on 22 February also mentioned that these negotiations are taking place.
It’s said that Google plans to launch the service in Q3 this year and that it will be available on non-Android as well as Android devices. It’s also expected that this will be a worldwide service, though with licensing troubles even keeping the broader reach of Google Play from Ireland, this prediction is hopeful at best. As it stands, Google Play sells digital magazines and books in 12 countries and music, TV and movies in 11, and Ireland features on neither of those lists.
Meanwhile, reports from Mobile World Congress say Google Play is growing faster than Android, so perhaps in 2013 this service is set to expand even further.
Tech rival Apple is also said to be working on a music streaming service. However, this is expected to take on more of an internet radio model, similar to Pandora.
Listening to music image via Shutterstock
