Google Unveils iTunes Clone (Killer?) with Google Music

Written By Jordan Kahn

Google has just wrapped up their music event in LA where they unveiled their iTunes competitor dubbed “Google Music” with a heavy focus on Google+ and cloud integration.

Previously Google only had a Google Music beta available to US users, a cloud service that would allow users to upload and store their music. Today’s announcement brings an iTunes-like music store into the equation with songs available directly through a new storefront within the Android Market. Accessible both through the Market on Android devices and desktop browsers at music.google.com, the service is essentially the same as iTunes or any other online music store, with a few twists.

Other than the expected 99 cent and $1.29 songs, you’ll also get 90 seconds previews before purchasing, and also be able to share full one-time free plays of your purchased music with friends through Google+ (full albums as well). The service will include 8 million songs to start out from content partners including Sony, EMI, and Universal, but Google expects that to grow to 13 million shortly.

To manage your music, Google provides a Music Manager application, the same one previously available to manage services in the Google Music beta, and the same place you will now be able to upload 20,000 of your songs free of charge. T-Mobile also announced direct billing for Google Music, allowing customers to purchase music on their phone bill.

There is also another aspect of the service know as “artist hub” which allows independent artists to upload and sell their music through the store.

In addition to being able to set the prices for their content, Google will only keep 30% of revenues (same as Apple), providing the artist with the other 70%. A one time fee of $25 will also apply.

Artists will be able to create customized bio pages and update their content at any time. DJ Tiesto will be among the first artists to utilize the artist hub with his new single dropping today on Google Music. Visit the artist hub now to learn more.

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