The Google Event 2011

WOW! I thought the Event might be about Google Music, but who knows with Google. With 200M-plus activations of Android, its anyones question.

Its officially open to everyone at music.google.com, and its free. You can store up to 20,000 songs online, and use Android Market to update, purchase, and share songs.

The MP3s are high resolution, broadcast at 320 KB/s. The Music site has a free song of the day, much like Amazon, and streams across all devices and the web.

You can also share the song or album to others with Google+, and the friend will receive a free, full play, song. That sounds like a pretty sweet feature. this ability is available across platforms web and mobile device.

This requires Android 2.2 and all the latest versions of music apps and software.

Some of the content partners are EMI, Sony Music, Universal, and many independent record labels. In total, 1000 partners, are with this program.

One of the interesting things is how Google is trying to push the global integration of its devices and punch the edge of technological capacity. It seems like all the providers recognize this a a viable platform for distributing music.

Some of the names as artist partners is pretty stinking cool too: Rolling Stones, Coldplay, Busta Rhymes, Shakira, Pearl Jame, and the Dave Matthews Band. These albums and content are free too!

Google also announced the Artist Hub, which acts as one of the pathways independent artists can broadcast their music and sell songs. This is a great, grassroots effort to help get great music to the masses. The cost is a one-time $25 registration fee to upload and create their artist page. Artists keep 70% of the revenue.

For me, the Music Store went live at 4:40 p.m. CST. I downloaded all the free songs from Coldplay, Busta Rhymes, and others.

Whats the takeaway from the Google Event? Discover, Share, Organize and Listen to music in a whole new way. Looks like Amazon and Apple might have a run for their money.

P.S., it might also be time to grab a T-Mobile accountif you dont mind going to AT&T.

UPDATE:

Heres the video from the event, if youre interested in viewing it.