Tag Archives: Google Play

Google Play Music All Access Is Version 1.0

Posted on by Musicofourheart

Google announced and demonstrated Google Play Music All Access at the Google I/O Conference today. A logical phase in the evolution of the Google Cloud Music strategy.

I signed up for a 30 day “free” trial. If I decide to pay for a monthly subscription it will cost me $7.99 a month ($9.99 if I decide to buy later).

Google positions Google Play as a Version 1.0 cloud music store. Google Music released in May 2011 translates Google Play into two-year beta. The question you may be asking is what did Google do in two years with Google Play? My direct response is “parity” with the rest of the cloud music players Pandora, Rdio, iTunes and Amazon Cloud Player. I respect “parity” can be an enormous undertaking but this makes Google Play a follower not a leader in the crowded cloud music marketplace.

She’s Not There

Three “natural” technology competitive advantages Google failed to capitalize on with Google Play 1.0.

1) YouTube integration (limited to Share YouTube Video now). This is a trump card for Google, especially since Google announced a YouTube subscription model just recently.

2) Google+ integration. Social networking with Google Play should be a slam dunk. Google Play Hangouts as a listening party makes perfect sense.

3) Voice activated Google Play is missing. “Okay Google. Play me Three Dog Night’s Celebrate.”

Google Play as the “Spotify” killer greatly exaggerates the situation.

High on my list is to hear Google Play on an HTC Beats Audio so I can better discern Google Play’s sound on a smart phone.

That’s my first take on Google Play.

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Music Journalism A-Z – Tim Quirk

Posted on by Musicofourheart

Tim Quirk

Tim Quirk spent more than 10 years as the singer and lyricist for the punk-pop band Too Much Joy, then politely eased his way into music journalism. He was a regular contributor to Raygun, The San Francisco Chronicle, the San Francisco Bay Guardian, Sassy, and Teen. He was Director of Editorial for Listen.com, an online music-service provider which became Rhapsody, and one half of an electro-pop outfit called Wonderlick.

Tim Quirk has been instrumental in analyzing and arguing against the current sampling clearance laws.  Quirk discovered that current copyright law encouraged artists to choose samples based on which can most easily be cleared and not on creative merit.

Tim Quirk has acquired the ideal job that blends technology, music journalism and programming direction.

Tim Quirk now works for Google as head of global content programming for Google Play. He and his team continue to write about music on the blog Magnifier.

Coachella 2012, the High Tech Music Festival

Posted on by Musicofourheart

The Coachella Festival being held in the California desert in two parts begins tomorrow. Weekend 1 is April 13-15.

There is strong high tech participation for this event. Google will be streaming the event live on YouTube on the Web. I received an email from Google Play offering free music from Coachella All-Stars.

Coachella attendees are encouraged to bring their Apple iPads to the event. There is of course an Official Coachella 2012 iPad App available.

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