Google Audio

Google Audio is an online music service that technical journalists are reporting is soon to be launched by Google. Officially, Google states, "we have no comment", regarding this application.http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/21/google-music-service-the-screenshots/

Google Audio, also referred to as Google Music Service, as reported by TechCrunch.com on October 21, 2009, will be a partnership between Google with iLike and LaLa.com. Google would be providing the search functionality, with users having the option of streaming selected music from either iLike or LaLa with an option to purchase the song for download.http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/21/google-to-partner-with-ilike-and-lala-for-new-music-service/

In March of 2009, Google launched an online music service in China, allowing users to stream or download free music licensed from more than 140 recording labels. The site is structured so as to funnel demographic specific advertising to the users, thus generating advertising revenue from the service.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123841495337969485.html

As of April 16, 2010 there has not been a launch of the Google Audio music service, nor has there been any announcement for a release date in the future.

In March of 2010, Google began to route all of its search traffic originating from China through its servers located in Hong Kong. This was done so as to avoid restrictive censorship imposed upon search results by the Chinese government.http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/23/technology/23google.html

This change however, did not affect the online music service that Google had launched in association with Top100.cn in 2009. This service is still being run from China through servers located in that country.http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/23/technology/23google.html