Google Inc. has debut its new music service that lets people buy songs through the Android Market.
The service will go head to head with the world’s largest online music service, Apple iTines.
At its launch yesterday in Los Angeles, Google said users will be able to store and stream as many as 20,000 songs on Google Music.
The company has forged partnerships with 1,000 record labels, including Vivendi SA’s Universal Music Group, Sony Corp.’s music unit and EMI Group Ltd., letting it offer a total of 13 million songs.
Google is looking to increase it’s mammoth Android operating system market share through it’s expansion in music, movies and television.
Google will also let users share music on its Google+ social network.
“Music is more important to Google than ever before,” said Jamie Rosenberg, director of digital content for Android.
Google Music service will offer reviews, band information and exclusive content from artists such as Coldplay.
Users of the service will get a 90-second preview of songs before they buy. For a one-time $25 fee, Google also is allowing artists to create pages to display videos, bios and sell self-published music.
Artist will receive 70 percent of sales and can set pricing.
