Google Finally Launches Music Service - The UpStream

The worst kept secret in the media world has finally been launched officially - Google Music. Similar to Amazon's new music locker service, or MP3 Tunes or any number of similar services, Google Music gives you the ability to store your music on a remote drive and listen to it through the web, a desktop client (one would assume) or an Android app. No longer do you need to sync your music between your computers and phone - it is always available to you wherever you have Internet access.

This seems like a great idea until you are driving down Alligator Alley and you have little or no Internet service plus no radio stations. That small problem aside, it is a nice concept. I have personally been using MP3 Tunes for a year or so now on my personal phone and it really does make it more convenient than having to keep my phone synced with the latest music I have collected.

For the good and the bad, hit the break.

Of course, there is the problem of what to do if you are nowhere near Internet access. Having some of your music on the device itself might be a good idea to help solve that. It might not be the exact music you want at the moment your phone coverage cuts out but at least it's better than nothing.

The second problem is Internet services on phones that have limited bandwidth. If you have AT&T or T-Mobile, chances are you have a limited amount of data per month. Let's go with AT&T's current limited capacity of 2GB. That is the amount of storage that the cheapest iPod holds - and is only about 500 songs. If all you do in a month is listen to music, you might be able to stay under 500 songs. However, if you have an Android phone, chances are you are using data for other things, like YouTube. That will kill you dead. Luckily, there are ways to get around it (like getting a Sprint or Verizon Android phone).

The third problem is that the service is provided by Google. Any regular reader of The UpStream knows that Google has some problems. They close up projects unexpectedly, they use your data against you for advertising and they share your data with damn near anyone who asks for it. Because of this, you might not be inclined to provide them with more information about who you are and what you like.

While there are problem, the benefits can outweigh them. However, if I were going to use one of these services, it probably wouldn't be the Google-powered version. Just saying.