Google Music Downloads To Go Ahead Without Sony Or Warner

An anonymous reader writes "Google has sent out press invitations to an event on Wednesday where it's expected they'll unveil their long-rumored Google Music download service. CNET reports that while Google already has an agreement in place with Universal, talks with Sony and Warner Music Group are still in progress, and won't be finished by the time Google Music launches. 'The negotiations between Google and the labels by and large have not gone well for either side. The labels are eager for a serious iTunes competitor to emerge and believe Google has the technological know-how, money, and Internet presence to give iTunes a run for its money. ... Yet, the company is once again launching a major part of its music service without acquiring licenses and this may serve to widen the rift between the company and some of the labels. '"

Comments

weird reversal

[Spy Handler]

The labels are eager for a serious iTunes competitor to emerge and believe Google has the technological know-how

Normally, more competition = (lower price || better service)

Right now iTunes dominates and has no competition, for all intents and purposes. The record labels don't like that, since Apple is holding them by the balls and forcing them cheap 99cent pricing and other things. So they want more competition for Apple.

But if they get their way, and more competition appears, the record labels will be able to raise prices and make more money?

Sticking is the problem

[SuperKendall]

It is a company that throws a lot onto the wall and sees what sticks.

Nothing will stick if they will not finish it before it's out in public.

I was pretty interested in Google+ when it launched. But because I had a paid Google Apps account for my business, I could NOT use my business email account for Google+!! Madness for a major feature like Google+ at launch, to screw over your paying customers.

Now they support Google+ from an apps account. But you know what? I don't think I care anymore. And in fact because of that backhanded slap to a paying customer, I am totally migrating off Google Apps after this year.

You can't just throw random half-baked things out and expect the bake sale to go well.

A comparison you're going to hate

[93 Escort Wagon]

Reading this, and thinking about how Google+, Google TV, etc. have floundered so far... in a lot of ways, Google's attempts to move into new markets reminds me a lot of Microsoft's "strategic" moves over the past several years. I'm not convinced Google has an overarching strategic plan. A lot of their moves lately seem like "me too" decisions made without anyone really thinking very far ahead.

It's almost like the only thinking that went into this was "hey, we have lots of money; and that really seems like an area we should get into - where's the checkbook?"

Re:Google should just buy the RIAA!

[TaoPhoenix]

"Do you mean "buy the whole music industry"?"

Yes.

That would pulverize the current attack dogs when all those lobbyists are owned by the (relatively benign) Google.

Just suppose? Google gives out free songs. In return for its other deals.

Then the Smarms on Washington would be crushed.

Re:Warner Music is owned by a Russian oligarch

[TheGratefulNet]

agreed.

to see how far the google fingers have dug themselves in to OUR network (the internet is supposed to be our network, not googles) install adblock and noscript (likely you already have these installed) and then block google's domains, googleapis, all the rest of the google domains. then clear cache and re'run' your favorite websites for a few days. see how much functionality that should be there is now missing?

this 'do no evil' bullshit was always bullshit and its still bullshit. they have their fingers in every main website and even some secondary ones, these days.