News: Google, and Cloud Computing, and Streaming Music, Oh My!

  • Posted by Steve Goldberg
  • |
  • April 17, 2011

So I’ve come accross a few articles on Google’s recent purchase of PushLife, a music mobile app service that allows users to sync their iTunes or Window’s Media music library to their Android-operated phones with their computers being the primary storage location… Soon to also be in the Cloud. Yes, that is correct, the user’s computer will hold the music, and their mobile device will play it (can we say 4G nightmare?!).

After reading these articles it’s clear that no one, at this point, knows what Google’send game really is. Sure it could be broken down simply to: Google wants to be #1 in the music space, but that just seems too simple. I feel like these acquisitions are all part of a larger plan to slide into the cloud computing industry as the Giant… Or world domination, but I’m sure it is the former of the two.

Below are some of the observations from various publications on this purchase and its implications:

This acquisition will aid in the development/launch of Google Music.

One of the key areas for digital (and specifically mobile) music, given the storage limitations of handsets and the growing use of multiple devices to consume music, is the idea of consuming music on a mobile that is actually stored somewhere else, be it in a cloud or your PC at home (MediaPost).

The app allows users to pull down song lyrics, biographies, news and content, which would work well with Google’s search technology. It also provides a dashboard to manage playlists and share information about the music in Facebook and Twitter. Now it’s all Google’s (Paid Content).

A YouTube video reveals an interview with Ray Reddy, founder and CEO of PushLife. Robin Axon — partner at Mantella Venture Partners in Canada, which financially backed the company — calls the software an “iTunes install for mobile” that allows telecom carriers to “get in the game” of selling content. He also explains that the company’s focus to enter emerging markets, countries lacking electronics other than smartphones, would give PushLife a niche that offers mobile entertainment to the masses “at a very low cost (MediaPost).”

I think it is a safe bet to say that Google’s music ventures will be a force to be reckoned with, once their Google Music roles out (slated to be…soon). With users able to share what they are listening to accross multiple social platforms, more so than with iTunes, the advertising implications alone could be major (somethingMySpace is still attempting to do). Add YouTube in this mix and it’ll be a done deal.

Anyone think this is just another Google attempt to dip their hands into every pot? Comments appreciated.

Original posts: MediaPostPaid ContentTechCrunch