Downloader: Google launches web-based music service, buys iTunes-syncing company Simplify Media

Friday, July 2, 2010

Google launches web-based music service, buys iTunes-syncing company Simplify Media

Filed under: Audio, Web services, Google, Android

More news coming out of Google I/O suggests that the Google/Apple rivalry is about to get even hotter, with Google entering the music arena. The big announcement today was Android 2.2, aka Froyo, but it might have slipped by you that Google is also adding music to the Android store. Google has also purchased music-syncing service Simplify Media, which syncs your media across multiple devices and apps, including iTunes.

A cloud-based iTunes competitor from Google?! Who would have expected such a thing? (Well, other than DLS editor Lee Mathews, back in October of last year ...)

It looks like the basic idea is that Google bought Simplify Media as a way to give Android customers access to DRM-free media -- including songs from the Android Market music service -- on their computers and mobile devices. The first step will be a desktop app based on Simplify's technology. That means you can buy songs from your computer, and they'll auto-sync over the web to your Android device. God, I wish my iPhone did that ...