Google Music Now Competes Directly with iTunes by Adding Music Store

Google took a major step forward in its growing battle with Apple by introducing a music store that will go head-to-head with iTunes. This is in addition to Google's already-existing streaming music service. 

Previously, the beta of this music service had only allowed users to upload their own songs to the cloud and then play them back on a variety of different devices, including Android smartphones. Along with the other changes made today, these features are no longer classified as a beta.

Google needed several of the big record labels on board for its store to be viable --  a goal it has been able to accomplish.It will be offering songs from EMI, Sony, Universal, Universal Music Group, and over 1,000 smaller labels. These will be offering individual tracks and full albums as MP3s at 320kbps. 

In addition, users will be able to share their favorite music over the Google+ social-networking service. This allows other users to stream entire songs.

The latest version if Google Music is available now on the Android Market to anyone who wants it. The app is free, as is the song backup and streaming service.

T-Mobile USA is making itself a part of today's announcement, and its customers using smartphones and tablets running Android 2.2 and above will have free -- and exclusive -- Google Music content from featured artists including Drake, Maroon 5, Busta Ryhmes, and others.

Video Preview
As it often does, Google has released a video that shows the highlights of its music-streaming service and store: