Google takes on iTunes with Music Beta, unveils Android updates at I/O conference

Internet search and mobile giant Google has unveiled a suite of new services and updates for its Android mobile platform, including the release of a new music system designed to rival iTunes that allows users to stream music to their smartphones.

The announcements, which took place at the company’s annual I/O conference, were also released alongside new steps Google says it will take to work to update Android smartphones more efficiently.

But the biggest announcement was Google Music Beta, a new cloud-based service Google is rolling out that will allow users to listen to their music on any computer and Android smartphone.

Users will download a new Music Beta profile, which is essentially a glorified web app, and then upload music files and playlists. After that’s done, Android users can then access their music from any other computer and Android smartphone on the road.

“With the new service, your music and playlists are automatically kept in sync, so if you create a new playlist on your phone, it’s instantly available on your computer or tablet,” Google says.

Music Beta listeners will also be able to listen to their music while offline, as Google will store the most recently played music on the Android device. The service will also allow users to choose to make specific albums or playlists available at any one time.

Google says this will eliminate the need for storage space – especially as users can upload 20,000 songs each.

The move comes as a number of tech companies have launched – or are preparing to launch – cloud-based services. Amazon released its music locker just a few weeks ago, while reports suggest Apple is gearing up for a cloud-based announcement of its own next month at the World Wide Developer’s Conference.

Early reviews suggest the player is designed well – Lifehacker says the software is “smooth” and the ability to edit album information, such as whether you actually give an album a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” is a welcome addition.

But there are some dangers here. Google is only releasing the service in the US so far, leaving out millions of potential customers, and the service is by invitation only at this stage, although users can sign up at the official Google Music site.

But perhaps the biggest criticism is that Google is releasing this program without the official support of the big record labels. According to reports, director of digital content for Android Jaime Rosenberg said the record labels’ terms were “unreasonable and unsustainable”.

However, he also said “we are excited about where this could go”.

Meanwhile, Google has addressed the issue of fragmentation at the I/O conference. Currently Android updates are rolled out carrier-by-carrier over wireless networks, leaving many users with different versions of the operating system. This means app developers don’t just have to deliver updates for one operating system, as they do with Apple’s iOS, but instead have to cater for three or four at a time.

Australian app developers have complained about this for some time, and has been cited as one of the reasons why Android penetration in Australia is so low compared to Apple’s products.

Now, Google says it is working with carriers to ensure these updates are sent out faster and more efficiently.

Head of Android Andy Rubin said at the conference that “over the next few weeks, we’ll figure it all out” with regard to details about the plan.

“It’s pretty complex,” he said, adding there are over 300 carriers across the world managing Android devices. “We’re not just building one product.”

Already, American telcos and tech groups AT&T, Verizon, Sony, Samsung, HTC and LG are on board with the new program.

Two other updates were announced – Google TV will now be updated to a new OS so developers can start building apps, while Android users will now be able to rent movies on their smartphones.

Google also previewed the new Android OS, called Ice Cream Sandwich, due out later this year. The company says it wants this OS to work on every device, everywhere – an important statement given there are now over 310 Android gadgets from various manufacturers.

“Our goal with Ice Cream Sandwich is to deliver one operating system that works everywhere, regardless of device,” said Rubin.

The OS will include new updates including holographic user interfaces, better multitasking and updates to the widgets.