Google looks set to expand on its search-engine services by adding music into the mix with a new service that has been dubbed Google Audio.
Rather than a music download service like iTunes or a streaming music site like last.fm, Google Audio is reportedly a music-discovery engine that will be incorporated into the internet giant’s existing search engine.
According to Wired.com, the music service – reportedly to be announced Wednesday, 28 October – will not be provided solely by Google but rather it’s the result of a collaboration between music-download site Lala.com, iLike (which already integrates with social-networking sites, including Facebook) “and others”.
iLike, acquired by MySpace in August 2009, is a social-music site that not only plugs into other networking sites but also lists local gigs and pulls in newsfeeds, including Twitter updates on the user’s favourite artists.
Screenshots from TechCrunch show what claims to be a Google Music search result with a track listing for the artist, complete with a play button and an option to listen on iLike or Lala. Clicking on the track brings up a pop-up window with the streaming track and option to download.
By Marie Boran
