Could media giant Google be working on their own downloadable music service? One ZDNet blogger thinks so, and I’d have to agree with him.
The basic framework for a possible web-based, Google Music Store has already been laid out. Google could simply build upon the existing Google Video service so that it also contains music, probably in an MP3 format. A Video + Music service could then become Google Media, Google Entertainment, or something like that.
The possible payment system is already in place as well with Google Payments, which Google is using with Google Video and Google Base.
So, how would a Google Music service work? Well, here is my idea…
A user would log into the service, search for and then buy whatever song(s) the user was after. The purchase might offer two options. The first, and cheapest option, would store the song in the user’s account and allow the user to listen to the music via a browser (from any location and maybe via GMail?). Probably costing around $0.50. Now, because most people will want to put the music on a portable media player, there would have to be a download option as well. So, for around $1.00 the user can purchase a downloadable version of the song, which is also stored in the account for playback.
Computer crash and you’ve lost all your music? No problem, the Google Music store keeps every purchase you’ve made in your Google Account and all you have to do is redownload the song(s).
We can get even more far fetched (or is it?), by saying that the Google Desktop could contain the media player for Google Music, perhaps with playback controls built into the Google Toolbar. Maybe even tie into Google Mobile for easy access? No need to buy a special player, just use a web enabled phone.
Hey, anything is possible, but right now it’s just speculation and rumors. Though one thing is for certain, Google is quite capable of creating such a service.