Google Play Music Now Available on iOS
Google Play Music Now Available on iOS
Google has released an iOS version of their Google Play Music service. The new app is well designed and from first looks it fits in well with the design and aesthetics of the iOS platform. Google Play Music allows users to store up to 20,000 of their personal tracks on the cloud. It also provides access to a 20 million song catalogue via paid subscription, a feature Google calls "All Access".
Unfortunately for iOS users, they will not have the option to subscribe to Google Play Music's All Access feature. Additionally listeners on Apple devices will also not be able to purchase music. Whether this is due to Apple not wanting competition for its iTunes Store or Google not wanting to give Apple a cut on its in-app sales from Play Music is unclear.
The free Google Play Music service does have the ability to stream music in 320kbps and is also able to connect to speakers via Bluetooth or AirPlay. The algorithms powering explore and discovery features are on par with the Android version of the app according to Google, which means that Google Play Music should give other streaming services such as Spotify a run for their money. Currently the iOS app version of Google Play Music is only available in the US.