Google Play Music plans new artist showcase

Google Play Music is launching a new effort to promote promising up-and-coming artists. The streaming service is working with media studio Milk to host a series of performances from select artists.

Google Play Music the latest defendant in wave of royalty class actions

Yesh Music and John Emanuele have expanded their class-action lawsuit over unpaid royalty claims, adding Google Play Music to the growing roster of defendants. As with the suits against Tidal and Slacker Radio, the plaintiffs claim that they did not receive correctly executed notices of intent from Google about streaming their creations.

Google Play Music app adds YouTube video search

Google Play Music is getting an update that will add the option to search YouTube videos from within the app, further bringing together Google’s music and video empires. It is another example of video becoming established in music services, and a natural evolution in Google’s case.

New family plan covers Google Play Music and YouTube Red

Google has rolled out a family plan to cover all of its music properties. The Google Play Music family plans cost $14.99 a month and allow up to six users on the account. The new price tier is rolling out in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the UK, and the U.S.

Google Play Music debuts in South Africa

Google Play Music has launched in South Africa, marking the music platform’s first entry into Africa. The launch comes at an introductory price of 49.99 Rand ($3.50); normally the membership costs $9.99.

Podcasts coming to (some of) Google Play Music

Google Play Music is adding support for podcasts, but only on Android devices. Podcasts will be subject to the same level of technical algorithm and human curation as music is on this platform, meaning listeners can take a lean-back approach and hear programming based on their mood or interests.

Google Play Music adds gift subscriptions, launches tech-savvy ad

Two minor announcements about Google Play hit the headlines this morning. First, the company has opened up gifting subscriptions for Play Music in select markets. The second development is an advertisement for the music service.

Google Play Music launches in Japan

Google has launched its Play Music streaming service in Japan. A subscription will cost ¥980 per month, but Google is offering the first 30 days as a free trial. For those who register by Oct. 18, they will lock in a discounted monthly rate of ¥780. The service will be available on Android smartphones and tablets and on iPhones.

Samsung offers Google Play Music bundle, drops Deezer

Samsung has entered into a partnership with Google Play Music, offering the owners of Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge devices a free subscription to the service for six months. This new arrangement means the end of Samsung’s bundle with Deezer, which gave six months access to the Premium+ plan.

Google Play Music All Access expands to 14 more European nations

Google announced that its Play Music service has rolled out in several more European countries. The music store and the related All Access subscription streaming platform are now available in 14 more EU nations. Google has been making a march across the globe with its Play Music services over the course of 2014.

Songza acquisition shines through in new Google Play Music All Access update

The latest update to Google Play Music All Access reflect some of the features that entered Google’s hands when it purchased Songza. The streaming platform has adopted music stations to its Listen Now page that cater to particular moods or activities. This riff on Songza’s Concierge service considers the time of day, device used for listening, and other signals to assess what your state of mind or current actions might be, then supplies the appropriate music.

Google Play Music All Access makes another international push, now in 43 nations

Google Play Music All Access announced another big international push, rolling out the service to nine more countries. Hot on the heels of an expansion in July, the streaming platform made further inroads into South and Latin America. With today’s launches, Google’s streaming product is now available in 43 countries.

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