YouTube To Offer Music Streaming Service, Teardown Indicates
The truth is in the code, and the code for the latest YouTube mobile app version is telling us the Google-owned streaming video subsidiary is nearing all-systems-go for a full-on music streaming service. It will offer free (ad-supported) and paid (ad-free) subscription models, automatic "radio" station creation, offline and background listening, and other features. Does that sound exactly like a Google-fired shot across the bow of Spotify, Pandora, iTunes Radio and Xbox Music Pass? It does to us.
According to the code in the APK of the latest version of the YouTube app, the music service will be called "Music Pass," but Microsoft's Xbox own streaming music service already uses that name for Xbox, so maybe Google is just playing with us (or maybe it's a blatant target on Microsoft's back.) Whatever the case, the YouTube service will likely focus exclusively on the millions of music videos that are legally and officially available on YouTube (distinguishing it from Google Play, which is audio-only according to copyright law.) Subscribers will be able to listen to persistent-streaming music through the YouTube app and set up playlists.
No word yet on how much the paid subscription will cost; likely it will be under $10 USD to compete with other music streaming services, points out Android Police. Knowing Google, we feel there will be some kind of introductory package to grossly rival Spotify's 30-day trial in terms of price-attractiveness.
It was Android Police, by the way, that did the code-sleuthing that indicated these features built into the latest YouTube app version, which on the surface included some cosmetic style and organization changes. Beneath the surface is where the real industry bombshell discussed in this post were found.
We don't know when the service will be launched, but the YouTube app is ready to roll with it as soon as it does. The service will likely also be available for non-mobile deployment as well (PCs, Macs, etc.) Would a "YouTube Music Pass" service be something you would try out if there was some introductory period? Or do Spotify, Pandora, et al already do the trick for you?
SOURCE: Android Police