Google brings library matching to Play Music

Users who are heavy into Android and other Google services have today been given another reason to use the Play Music service. The competing iTunes and Amazon services have had library matching for a while now, at a charge of $25 per year. Google will take record label charges on the chin instead of  passing costs onto users.

The scan and match feature has been available to European users since Play Music's launch there last month and will today be available to users in the United States. If you have already uploaded your music collection to the service then this process will take place over the coming months.

Library matching has been seen by many as a way to legitimise privacy, as it would turn a very illegitimate copy into a perfectly legal one. However, while Google's service will allow you to stream a particular song or album at a higher bitrate (say 320 kbps) it will only allow you to download the files at the original bitrate you uploaded them at, say 128 kbps.

It is worth pointing out that Play Music can be activated anywhere in the world with the use of a VPN; further VPN use will only be required to purchase music. Once activated, anyone can upload and stream music regardless of location.

KitGuru says: It is evident that Google is attempting to draw users away from iTunes and Amazon's music services.

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