Cloud-based music service unveiled by Google

Called "Music Beta by Google," the service lets users store their tunes remotely and access them from any compatible gadget including mobile telephones, pills and PCs. So far, it doesn't offer music downloads or song sales and it does not let folk hear music they haven't physically uploaded. The service should be available by invite only beginning on Tues. , free although it is being tested. Google announced the new service at its annual meeting for software developers in San Francisco. It didn't say whether, or how much, it plans to charge at some point.

Google's music service comes just 6 weeks after Amazon.com Incorporated .

Presented a similar offering. The net retailer's service also lets users play songs they have uploaded to the cloud on their PC or on a smartphone that runs Google's Android. Apple Incorporated . Is also said to be working on a corresponding service. A gigantic hurdle has been getting deals with major record labels. Google didn't mention any agreements on Tues. , though the Firm has been in dialogues with record labels over licensing deals. The Recording Industry organisation of America, EMI and Sony Music remained silent. Warner Music and Universal Music didn't instantly return messages for comment. Google said users will be well placed to upload up to twenty thousand songs to "the cloud" - tech talk for storing info on remote servers and then accessing them thru a Web connection. Users can create playlists by hand or based totally on a specific song.