Google will launch an official app for its 'Google Play Music All Access' subscription music service later this month, according to a report from Engadget. The official app was hinted at back in May, with a Google executive saying the service was intended to be "universally accessible".
The service was supposed to come to iOS within a few weeks of launch, but was reportedly delayed because of issues with record company DRM requirements. Several unofficial Google Music apps have made their way to the App Store in the meantime, however.
Sources aware of Google's plans have let slip to Engadget that not only is the company currently testing a native Google Music iOS app internally, but that it'll launch later this month. We're told that while employees have been invited to test the app, Google still needs to fix a few bugs before it's ready for release.
Google Play Music All Access is a subscription service costing $9.99/month. The service is designed to compete with Spotify, providing songs on demand that can be streamed to a computer or mobile device.
Apple launched iTunes Radio, a Pandora-esque streaming music service, to the public last month alongside the release of iOS 7.
Top Rated Comments
Just to clear up some of the questions that are popping up:
Google Play Music All Access (long name yes I know) is like Spotify and Pandora. You can listen to any song you want willy nilly or launch a radio station based on genre or song/artist. The bonus is that you can upload your own songs as well. There's also an in-browser player so you literally can listen to your tunes in high quality anywhere.
I've been waiting for this app, for a long time.
Its great how Google is contributing to the iOS ecosystem. The more great apps that get made, the better it is for everybody.
I get no ads using google play to stream my collection for free. ;)
Ok - you don't. But that wasn't the question. The question is what differentiates the two services.