Google has launched a new music streaming service in the UK.
Its Music All Access subscription-based platform makes it the latest firm to enter the increasingly-packed market, dominated by the likes of Spotify, Deezer, Rdio and Xbox Music.
Also competing against Sony’s Music Unlimited and Rara, Google hopes to undercut the competition by offering all sign-ups before September 15 a monthly subscription price of £7.99, with access to millions of tracks from major and independent labels, but sign-ups after that date must pay £9.99 per month, broadly in line with the other streaming services.
The new service, which is currently a standalone subscription for British users, will soon be bundled into Verizon mobile tariffs if ongoing negotiations are successful.
According to the search engine firm, the new service can be integrated with Google’s cloud locker service, which would allow people to store and play about 20,000 songs from their current digital music collection on its servers.
Google said in a statement that the new service allows creating an ad-free, interactive radio station using any song or artist.
"You can add, remove or re-order your station and see what’s coming next," a Google spokesperson said.
"Or browse recommendations from our expert music team and explore songs by genre.
"The "Listen Now" tab puts artists and radio stations we think you’ll like front and centre allowing you to start listening the minute you open your library."
