Google has launched its own online music service. Available on the Android Market, the Google Music service offers over 13 million tracks from the major labels Universal, Sony and EMI, as well as global independent rights agency Merlin and more than 1,000 independent labels including Merge Records, Warp Records, Matador Records, XL Recordings and Naxos. It's also working with digital distributors IODA, INgrooves, The Orchard and Believe Digital. Users can buy tracks and albums to download from a computer or Android device, and they will be added to the user's Google Music Library. The library can be synced across a range of devices and is also available for offline listening. In addition, Google is letting users share a free full play of each purchased song with friends on its social network Google+. The company is offering a number of exclusive tracks to launch the service, including live music and free tracks from the Rolling Stones, Coldplay, Shakira and Pearl Jam. The Google Music service launches initially in the US and will roll out as an upgrade to the Android Market on mobile devices running Android 2.2 and higher. Users can also download the new music app from the Android Market to start listening to music on their phone or tablet. T-Mobile USA is one of the launch partners for Google Music and was present at the unveiling in Hollywood. The mobile operator said its Android customers can download the app and access free content from featured artists including Drake, Maroon 5, Shakira and others.
