As stated by CEO Eric Schmidt, cloud computing is the centerpiece of Google’s strategy. Aligning perfectly with this strategy is the digital music space. Digital music is experiencing a shift from administering our own music collections on local hard drives to building them online where they can be accessed on a multitude of connected devices without having to manage each file transfer by hand.
It will not be easy for Google to capture the cloud-based music space since there is already significant competition from companies such as Lala, iLike, Pandora and Rhapsody. Google has already attempted to become a player in this market by purchasing Lala, but were outbid by Apple. It will be interesting to see if Google seeks another cloud-based music service to purchase. Also, with the ability to take all users’ digital music collections and host them in the cloud it makes a move away from iTunes entirely attractive to consumers. This is a logical next step for Google which will complement their mobile device, the Android, as well as build upon their array of cloud-based services. I think Google is moving in the right direction and should continue to pursue acquisition options. This is a big opportunity for Google to seize the digital music space away from the longstanding giant, Apple.
I don't look at Pandora and similar companies as direct compeitors to Google's new proposed music service. The reason is Google is offering users cloud "lockers" to house their music collections so they can listenfrom anywhere. Whereas Pandora randomly chooses songs it thinks you want, Google music service users can listen to exactly what they want to when they want to from almost anywhere (as long as they have an internet connection)
ReplyDeleteI use pandora when I don't want to make a playlist or want to find new bands I have never heard of. I use iTunes to listen to specific songs. Imagine if Google can meet both of these needs with its new service? Why would I use iTunes, Rhapsody, or Pandora if Google can offer all of their services in one spot?