Google's answer to Spotify, Rdio and Napster has finally come to iOS devices at long last.
The Internet giant announced Friday the launch of the Google Play Music app for on the iOS app market. Google launched its music streaming service six months ago and integrated it with Android software, but now it is available to anyone with an iPhone or iPad.
Google Play Music allows users to store up to 20,000 songs in its cloud for free, letting you stream them on your device or computer. Like Spotify, Google Play Music also has a subscriber service, called All Access.
All Access subscribers pay $9.99 per month to listen to Google's massive library of tunes and to create custom ad-free radio stations with no skip limits. All Access is also offering users one month for free to test it out.
According to the Verge, Google Play Music app's "explore tab" is what sets it apart from the competition. That function uses Google's own algorithms and human editors to bring a user new music based on the music in his/her library and listening history.
"At the end of the day, I think you need both," Brandon Bilinski, product manager for Google Play Music, told the Verge.
The app's radio service acts more like a playlist because users can add and delete tracks to the upcoming queue. Bilinksi said the objective of the explore tab is to get users to listen to genres and subgenres they have not yet given a chance.
"We build the playlist for you and let you make minor tweaks," Bilinski said. "But you don't have to do a ton of the work yourself."
Google was delayed in bringing the new app to iOS, but not over how to split the commission money. Google did not even bother entering those negotiations and instead decided not to allow iOS users to buy music or sign up for All Access from the app itself.
Bilinksi said the delay was due to the app developers tweaking its design to feel familiar to Google users, but also giving it a distinct look for Apple device users.
The wait seems to be worthwhile, as the app can connect to other devices via Bluetooth and AirPlay, and is also compatible with Google's Chromecast device.
