While you were transfixed on Google’s swanky new Gmail redesign, news emerged that it may pull the plug on another service.
According to Droid Life’s “reliable source”, Google Play Music — the company’s music streaming service competing against the likes of Apple Music and Spotify — will be canned, in favour of a service dubbed YouTube Remix. Users currently on Play Music will also be herded onto Remix as early as 2019.
No ad to show here.
It’s not a new rumour though. There’s been plenty of talk about Google’s plans to mash its Play Music offering with YouTube.
In December 2017, the company was reportedly set to launch its Remix service in March. But this didn’t come to fruition.
“Music is very important to Google and we’re evaluating how to bring together our music offerings to deliver the best possible product for our users, music partners and artists,” the company told The Verge last year.
According to the aforementioned Droid Life report, Google is still fixed on providing a similar experience to Spotify, with more powerful recommendations, and “smarter playlists”. But Google Play Music already does this. Somewhat.
Google’s product also has the advantage of personal song uploads, allowing consumers to store their music libraries on Google’s servers and access it from the ether.
But is it all speculation at this time?
“We’ve previously announced the combination of the YouTube Music and Google Play product teams — music is very important to Google so it’s critical we have one offering that meets the needs of consumers and artists,” a YouTube representative told Droid Life in a statement.
“Nothing will change for users today and we’ll provide plenty of notice before any changes are made.”
Feature image: Memeburn
