Yet another report suggests Internet giant Google has Apple’s monolithic music empire in its sites. The Mountain View, Calif. Google could have an iTunes alternative ready to announce by this fall, according to CNET. What could be even more worrisome for Apple: music labels may welcome Google with open arms.
Although we’ve known for quite some time Google plans to offer a service for Android users that would convert iTunes tracks, this appears to be the first report Apple’s rival is speaking directly to music execs.
In January, Google pitched its idea of a competing music service to music labels attending the January CES conference. After previously attempts by the music industry to get everyone from AOL to Facebook to take on iTunes, Google’s idea for a streaming music service “would be warmly welcomed by the top labels,” according to the report.
It also appears Google wants to beat Apple to the punch, introducing a streaming music service before the Cupertino, Calif. company has a chance to unveil a similar version for iTunes. Many thought Apple purchased Lala in a bid to gain the necessary technology. However, when the company recently pulled the plug on Lala without naming a successor, some onlookers doubted Apple would unveil a cloud-based upgrade to iTunes.
Still, it appears Apple’s mind remains in the clouds. The company has made strides allowing music consumers to preview tunes via the web without requiring the iTunes app first be installed.
[via Barron’s and CNET]
