Unfortunately, Google Music isn't a better service. As a browser-based utility from the maker of the world's most intuitive search engine, you might expect Google Music to be the most seamless music service available. It's not. When using Opera, Google Music was glitchy at best. When using Chrome and Firefox, it was just okay. My iTunes music failed to sync automatically (somehow I'm not surprised), even after I told Google Music to grab my library. Worst of all, the music selection sucks, and not just because iTunes has been around longer, but because Google did not properly prepare for the launch of this service. I've heard some reporters claim that Google has an ace up it sleeves: social connectivity. But if I'm not already using Google+ (which I'm not; my account has been collecting dust since the day I signed up), why would I care? And since Spotify can already integrate with Facebook, why would I ever care? For reasons that can only be described as greedy, power-seeking behavior, Google forces its users to enter billing information (credit card included) before they can download a single song. Not just the songs that retail for $0.99 and $1.29 – but for every single song available, including the freebie tracks! This is beyond absurd. While Google might think that it can get away with this, as it is a trusted corporation with enough clout to securely store users' credit card information, the idea of providing that information before I can get something for free makes me sick. iTunes users can register without entering a credit card. Spotify users can as well. So why isn't there a simple way around this Google gimmick? Google loyalists (all five of them) may be quick to point out that Google Music is trying to undercut iTunes' prices by fifty cents. Some albums are even cheaper; Google Music shoppers can get the Super Deluxe version of The Who's “Quadrophenia” for $20.99. On iTunes, you'll pay $24.99. If every Google Music album was $4 cheaper, and if individual songs weren't priced the same as iTunes, Google would pose a serious threat to Apple's empire. But with the average price difference being no more than fifty cents, and with iTunes providing a much better user experience, I'll be sticking with Apple for now. Something tells me I'm not the only one. Follow me @LouisBedigian
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Comments
Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.