Music to our ears?
While it has been rumoured for a while that Google is planning its own version of iTunes, it seems the search giant might just roll it out as part of its latest iteration of Android.
The Guardian reported that Google Music is now expected to make its debut on Google's OS for tablets, called Honeycomb, according to the chief exec of Motorola Mobility, who accidently let the news slip at his MWC speech about Motorola's Xoom tablet.
When describing the tablet's ecosystem, he reportedly said: "If you look at Google Mobile services [via Android] today, there's a video service, there's a music service - that is, there will be a music service," - oops.
He apparently added that Honeycomb, which will power Motorola's tablet "adds video services and music services".
While people have been waiting for Google Music for ages, it was always unclear as to how Google would roll it out and make it popular, and now it seems the answer is Honeycomb. With more tablets launching this year running Android OS, it seems Google has found just the platform, with Honeycomb expected to launch in the next couple of months.
Billboard magazine has reportedly recently listed the Google execs it reckons are involved in Google Music and they include VP of engineering and Android chief Andy Rubin who is rumoured to have been chatting with music execs about an online store and service.
However good Google's music shop though, it will no doubt have a relatively hard time muscling in on Apple's domination. Since April 2003 when iTunes launched, 10 billion songs have apparently been downloaded and Apple controls 2 thirds of the world's online music sales.
Rumours of a Google Music service heated up around this time last year when the search giant snapped up start-up Simplify Media, which let people share music across platforms and the web, but so far, Google has not commented on the rumours.
