6 Things You Need To Know About Google’s All Access Music Service

Music streaming via the Web and smartphones has become big business for companies such as Spotify and Rdio, just a couple of the entities vying for dominance in the marketplace. The space just got a little more crowded as tech giant Google unveiled its new streaming service, All Access, yesterday (May 15). 

Although Google already launched its free Play Music system back in the fall of 2011, the beefed up version of its service hopes to take things to a new level. Presented on the opening day of its annual I/O developer Conference in San Francisco, the question is does All Access have what it takes to compete?

As part of the Google Play Music system, All Access is a paid-subscription service using a vast music catalog that can be combined with the personal libraries of current Play Music users. With the introduction of any new tool or service, there are certain bells and whistles that need highlighting.

Hip-Hop Wired looks at six features of All Access that you should know about. Read on.

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Photos: Google

1.  It Will Cost You, But Not Much If You Hurry

All Access is slated to cost $9.99 per month, the same price premium subscribers pay for Spotify. If you sign up before the end of June, however, the cost drops to 7.99. Not a bad deal.

2. Unlimited Tunes At Your Fingertips

Google’s online music library will number into the “millions,” according to statements made on the Google Play Music site. Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment have all entered into contracts with Google to provide the audio content. Even better, you can listen as many times as you want.

3. Online Or Offline, Your Music Stays With You.

Although cellular networks and Wi-Fi access points are reliable some of the time, there are moments when those convenient ways to connect aren’t available. All Access gives users a great option in storing music added to their virtual library onto their Android-powered devices for later playing.

4. Add Up To 20,000 Songs To The All Access Music Manager

Organizing your music tracks can be a chore, but All Access’ Music Manager takes some of the pain away. Using a desktop application, the Manager will scan your library and match it with Google Play’s own. If you’re missing songs, the Music Manager will match and upload the file for you. You can also share music you buy and enjoyed using Google Plus as well.

5. Everything Is Connected Virtually

No matter how you come to upload or obtain new music, All Access will make the file available on the Web, or your Android-powered smartphone or tablet. There will be no need to transfer files as long as each device has the All Access app.

6. Get To Rocking On The Radio

Much like its streaming music predecessors, All Access allows you to build radio stations based on the music of your favorite artists. What makes this feature unique is that users can look ahead to see what’s coming, select playlists of the random songs, share their findings with friends and more. There’s even unlimited skipping, something the other services don’t allow.