06 September 2010 | Author: D. Warburton Search Copywriter

Google in talks about iTunes rival for mobiles

Google may be encroaching further on Apple's turf with news that the Mountain View company has been talking with music labels about launching its own music download store for mobile users.

Reuters reports that Andy Rubin, Google's vice president of engineering and the man behind Android, has been leading conversations with major record labels about what a new music download service could offer. Rubin reportedly expects the service to be available as soon as Christmas, to provide competition to Apple's iTunes over the lucrative festive period.

Many companies have tried to battle for dominance with Apple's industry-leading music download service, which has enjoyed seven years of dominance in the market - most recently Sony, which is expected to launch its own download store in 2011.

Google previously launched its OneBox music service to offer digital downloads last October, but this new mobile-based service will further Eric Schmidt's goal of conquering the mobile web.

Traditionally cautious label bosses are remaining hopeful about Google's chances by favouring the mobile market. An unnamed executive told Reuters: "Finally here's an entity with the reach, resources and wherewithal to take on iTunes as a formidable competitor by tying it into search and Android mobile platform.

"What you'll have is a very powerful player in the market that's good for the music business."

Despite owing a debt of gratitude to Apple for boosting the paid-for music download market since 2003, record labels have become increasingly concerned about the Cupertino, California-based company's dominance in the industry, and welcome promising competition.

With sales of Android-based phones having risen to 200,000 a day, matching those of Apple's formerly dominant iPhone, it seems Google may be the answer to the music industry's problems.

"There's no dearth of music available on a computer right now, but Google can still have an impact on the cellphone or any connected device," said Larry Kenswil of Loeb & Loeb.

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