Google Readying ‘YouTube Music Key’ Ad-Free Streaming Music Subscription Service
It's long been rumored that Google would offer some kind of streaming music service through its YouTube division, but with the release of Google Play Music All Access, it seemed as though YouTube was destined to remain a video sharing site. Perhaps not. We're now hearing that YouTube will launch a service called YouTube Music Key with ad-free music, audio-only playback (for enjoying in the background or listening with the screen turned off), and offline playback.
Where does that leave Google's existing music service? We're not entirely sure, though according to Android Police, Google is going to rebrand its terribly named Google Play Music All Access to a slightly less terrible Google Play Music Key.
Users will be able to test drive the service free for 30 days. After that, a subscription will run $9.99 per month and include both YouTube Music Key and Google Play Music Key. Early adopters of Google Play Music All Access are currently enjoying a discounted rate of $7.99 per month, though it's not clear if that same rate will be grandfathered into the new offering.
Based on images leaked to the web, Google has added more than 20 million high-quality tracks to its Music Key services, including complete albums organized into artist discographies. It also looks like users will have access to official discographies, concert footage, covers, and remixes, all of which add to the value proposition versus competing music services.
Where does that leave Google's existing music service? We're not entirely sure, though according to Android Police, Google is going to rebrand its terribly named Google Play Music All Access to a slightly less terrible Google Play Music Key.
Users will be able to test drive the service free for 30 days. After that, a subscription will run $9.99 per month and include both YouTube Music Key and Google Play Music Key. Early adopters of Google Play Music All Access are currently enjoying a discounted rate of $7.99 per month, though it's not clear if that same rate will be grandfathered into the new offering.
Based on images leaked to the web, Google has added more than 20 million high-quality tracks to its Music Key services, including complete albums organized into artist discographies. It also looks like users will have access to official discographies, concert footage, covers, and remixes, all of which add to the value proposition versus competing music services.
