Google reveals streaming music service and social network redesign

Google has revealed a new music and gaming service in a bid to increase its lead on Apple in the mobile phone market - and redesigned its social network to take on Facebook.

The search giant is unveiling a host of new products including a dramatic overhaul of its maps service at its annual software developers' conference in San Francisco today.

They include All Access, a subscription music service, and Google Play, a gaming system.

All Access will be competing with Spotify, Rhapsody, Pandora and other popular music services.

Apple, the biggest seller of online music, does not have a subscription-based service - although it is rumoured to be developing one.

Google wants to not only offer access to millions of songs, but also help guide you to music you might like.

You can choose one of 22 music genres and see key albums that define the genre along with recommendations from Google's curators.

Users can listen to any track right away, or switch to a 'radio station' format featuring songs you'll likely want to hear.

The cost is $9.99 a month in the U.S., after a 30-day free trial, and it will launch today- although plans for international version have not been announced.

:story: Daily Mail