In a move that will sure delight many Google fans, Google is expected to challenge Apple by unveiling its own online music store today, as well as a web-based iTunes rival that will allow users to access, add and remove music from multiple devices.
Although some may still view this as a potential threat to Apple, Bloomberg points out, and rightly so, that Google may be entering this market far to late to post any real threat to iTunes dominance.
Bloomberg’s report suggests that Google may launch a storefront, allowing users to purchase and store songs online using a web app, and then access their library across any number of internet-connected devices.
Apple already has a similar program in place with their recently-launched iTunes Match service. Although iTunes doesn’t yet have a web interface, iTunes Match provides a way for users to access their music libraries from any iOS 5 device.
While iTunes Match costs $25 per year, however, Google’s service will likely be free, although its unclear whether it will be Android-specific, or whether it will work on Apple’s iOS devices as well.
Google is expected to discuss the matter at an event today held at at 2 pm Pacific, 5 pm Eastern. Video from the event will be live-streamed through YouTube, and you can check out the announcement yourself at the designated time through this link.
