Google today announced that it's adding a free tier to its Google Music subscription service, just a week ahead of the launch of Apple Music. Apple Music doesn't include a free listening tier, but it is accompanied by a free ad-supported radio service that provides users with a way to access music without shelling out cash.
Google's free listening tier is built around Songza, the radio-based streaming service that Google purchased last July. It includes curated radio stations and playlists, which Google describes as human-curated and crafted "song by song" for moods and activities like working out or driving. It's currently available in the United States and rolling out to Android and iOS devices this week.
At any moment in your day, Google Play Music has whatever you need music for--from working, to working out, to working it on the dance floor--and gives you curated radio stations to make whatever you're doing better. Our team of music experts, including the folks who created Songza, crafts each station song by song so you don't have to. If you're looking for something specific, you can browse our curated stations by genre, mood, decade or activity, or you can search for your favorite artist, album or song to instantly create a station of similar music.
Apple's own upcoming revamped radio service also has a heavy focus on human curation, headlined by the live Beats 1 radio station that will play music chosen by human DJs 24/7. It will be broadcast in more than 100 countries and led by former BBC DJ Zane Lowe and other famous DJs from Los Angeles, New York, and London, airing not only music but also exclusive interviews and music news.
Google, like Apple, is hoping that its free radio service will entice customers to subscribe to the company's paid music service. Google Play Music is priced at $9.99 per month and it offers a free 30-day listening trial.
Top Rated Comments
This company is so creepy. Why would I allow them to stalk me even more?
Please elaborate on how listening to free, previously cultivated playlists (in other words, NOT based on your listening history) is costing you privacy?Free comes at a cost, in this case it's privacy.
*And please use specific examples from this article, instead of the usual blanket statements of how Google is "selling" your privacy.
http://9to5mac.com/2015/06/23/google-play-music-radio/
You have very poor reading comprehension. It says it's available via the web today and support for "iOS and Android following soon." Nowhere in that sentence does it say it's coming to iOS first, then Android."Google Play Music’s radio option will be available for users in the United States at launch with availability on the web starting today and support on iOS ('https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-play-music/id691797987?mt=8&at=10laZc') and Android ('https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.music&hl=en') following soon."
It's coming to iOS FIRST, then droid! Same as everything else:cool:
Coming first to iOS .... you don't say!;)
"It's currently available in the United States and rolling out to Android and iOS devices this week."Forget to read?
https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/blog/2015/06/google-chrome-listening-in-to-your-room-shows-the-importance-of-privacy-defense-in-depth/
Are you aware that the claims in that article are false?And, then, what the heck has to do with Google Music?