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Google announces Google Music, features heavy Android Market and Google Plus integration

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLPFI5YsIks&start=1770]

Google has just announced the upgraded Google Music at an event in LA this afternoon. The new service will continue to be available to everybody today, for no charge. Google says the completely free service will have heavy cloud integration using the Music Manager application that was available in the beta, to upload music to the cloud. Users are able to upload up to 20,000 songs for free and can be available offline on Android devices.

The big feature here will be Music’s huge integration into Android Market. Thousands of songs will be available to purchase. The Music homepage in the Android Market features new releases, staff picks, and section that will recommend new music to users. Every song has a 90 second preview and will be downloaded as a high quality 320k MP3 available on your Android devices and in the web locker.

Music can also be shared with friends over Google Plus, and. your friends will receive a full free play of the song (or album) once you share it.

On the music section of Android’s website, users will be able to find recommendations and free music. There will also be featured content like interviews.

The new Music will be available on Android handsets and tablets over the coming days, but is available online now. Google has locked in Sony, EMI, and Universal for music licensing, but also has close to 1,000 smaller labels. 13 million tracks will be available over time, but 8 million are available today.

Artists Rolling Stones, Coldplay, Busta Rhymes, Shakira, Pearl Jam, and Dave Matthews Band will offer exclusive music on Google Music. The music is never before heard. Bust Rhymes will also be premiering his new album.

Artist hub is..

a place that will allow artists to share music. Artists can build their own unique artist page to upload content and sell their songs. Google has also partnered with T-Mobile, who will allow purchases to be billed on their network.

That’s it from today’s announcement! We’ll update with hands-ons and more!

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