Google today updated its Google Play Music app for Android with added features and improvements. You can download the new version now directly from Google Play.
The changes include faster music downloads, search quality improvements, and reduced overall data usage. Unfortunately, Google wouldn’t detail any figures for any of these, so the magnitude of the enhancements you can expect is unclear. Your mileage will undoubtedly vary.
There is a bit more to add in regards to the last of those three updates, however. Google has added a new setting for mobile network bandwidth usage, giving you even more control over how the app streams your music (read: you can avoid getting charged for surpassing data caps).
It’s a timely update given that last month at Google I/O 2013, the company announced Google Play Music All Access will run $9.99 in the US, starting with a 30-day free trial. In fact, you still have until June 30 to take advantage of the lower $7.99 monthly price tag.
Here’s the full Google Play Music version 5.0.1052J changelog:
- Keeping music on device now much faster.
- New setting for mobile network bandwidth usage.
- Search quality improvements.
- Reduced data usage overall.
This update is likely the last one for Android before Google releases the counterpart iOS app. At the end of last month, the company revealed that the service was coming to Apple’s devices “in a few weeks.” By our calculations, that means any day now.
With Apple’s recent launch of iTunes Radio, the digital music industry is heating up like never before. Both small fledgling startups and massive technology companies are now fighting for a piece of the pie.
See also – Google Play Music arrives in 7 more countries, including New Zealand, Australia, Austria, and Ireland and Google updates Google+ and Google Play Music Android apps with new moderation and track playback features
Top Image Credit: John Nyberg
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