Google Music to compete with iTunes

About a month ago, we wrote about the fact that search engine Google was planning to launch its own online music store. Now, Paul Joyce, product manager of Google, announced the launch of the music store called Google Music. Currently the service is only available in the U.S., when the service will be available in Europe is not clear yet.

Google will now finally compete with other online music stores, such as iTunes. Besides downloading, the user can also share its purchased songs for free with friends via Google+ as an alternative to Facebook. In order to use Google Music the user has to download an Android music application.

Google uses a legitimate business model, where users can download songs and albums and right holders receive remuneration. Despite earlier disputes between Google and the record companies, the search engine has succeeded to sign (licensing) agreements with major music labels, such as Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and EMI Music.

"We expect this to be a new great source of income for our artists," Robert Wells of Universal Music said. Let's hope so.

Reference: DeMorgen.be