Radio “without rules”: Google launches music streaming service

Google has launched a subscription music streaming service that will allow users to listen to tunes from a vast library on any device using the Android operating system. The service, launched only in the US for now, will cost $9.99 per month.

Google Play Music All Access was unveiled on Wednesday at Google I/O – the company’s annual developer conference held in San Francisco.

The $9.99 fee – payable after a month’s free trial – is the same as Spotify’s monthly subscription, however, users that sign up before the end of June will be offered a reduced monthly fee of $7.99.

The move will be another shake up of the music streaming industry after Apple also announced plans to offer a similar service. Spotify, meanwhile, has already secured more than 6 million paying subscribers.

Google’s engineering director Chris Yerga said that Google’s new service is radio “without rules”.

“It’s as ‘leanback’ as you want to, or as interactive as you want to,” he said.

Geoff Taylor, chief executive of the UK-based BPI, which represents record labels, was enthusiastic about the news, telling the Guardian: “Streaming is the fastest growing part of the £330 million digital music sector in Britain, with more than a million paying subscribers already and millions more enjoying free and ad-supported music.

“The entry of a player with the reach of Google will persuade many more consumers to experience having millions of songs to play instantly on their phone, tablet or PC.”

Google has already signed deals with Sony, Universal and Warner, with millions of songs to be available from Wednesday.