Cloud IT formerly On-Site Technical Solutions: Google Rolls Multiple Products Into Google Play

When I logged into Google Music this morning my interface was different. That's not unusual with Google - they roll out changes to their products quite often and I have agreed to accept them as soon as they are available. I should have been ready - it's Tuesday, Google's release day!

The difference this morning was that Google Music was not simply different, but gone - rolled into the new Google Play. A central repository for entertainment through Google.

From the official Google Blog (the link to the post is below):

Starting today, Android Market, Google Music and the Google eBookstore will become part of Google Play. On your Android phone or tablet, we’ll be upgrading the Android Market app to the Google Play Store app over the coming days. Your videos, books and music apps (in countries where they are available) will also be upgraded to Google Play Movies, Google Play Books and Google Play Music apps. The music, movies, books and apps you’ve purchased will continue to be available to you through Google Play—simply log in with your Google account like always.

The service formerly known as Google Music, now Play, includes

Movies
Music
Apps and Games
Books
Android Market

The only two of the five that I currently use from Google are Music and the Android Market for the tablet and phone. Because the music player works essentially as it did before, I'm happy with this change and added functionality. We'll see what the new Android Market interface looks like!

Introducing Google Play

Last month Google was saying that the adoption of Google Music has been a disappointment. CNET first reported Google Music not living up to expectations (exclusive). Google Play is clearly part of their overall media strategy and at first blush it seems that it should make Google more inviting to consumers as a media portal.

I liked Google Music because I could store any digital music I owned there and more conveniently than iTunes. It will be interesting to see how much excess storage will cost me when I hit the 20,000 song limit. I'm still ripping CDs from the 90s and Oughts! With Google Play we'll have to see how the content fairs compared to other services. Content will ultimately be king for these services.

Here's the video on the merged services. It's a bit different:

Introducing Google Play: All your entertainment, anywhere you go

Have fun with it and let me know what you think!

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