Google Play Music will be taking over Songza in early 2016. The announcement and confirmation were made on Wednesday by both Songza and Google. As seen in the video below, the founders of Songza want to reassure you that nothing will change, and the Google Play Music experience will just get better. Back in July 2014, Google acquired the music streaming companyย and it sounds like this move has been in the works ever since.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hukubnTAN70[/embedyt]
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The key for loyal Songza users is that they’ll be able to pick things up right where they left off if they head over to a Google account. All the playlists and concierge services offered on the previous site will be available for free, and will carry over to the new system. It will most likely be a way to incentivize and push users to pay for the Play Music they’re utilizing. Before this move, Google’s service was strictly a paid service at $9.99 a month.
It could really help Google Play Music become a bigger player in the streaming market and potentially steer some Spotify users away. Spotify already has a free version out there (with ads) and also charges $9.99 a month, they’re really the heavy hitters and leaders in the music streaming world.
It’ll be interesting to see if here in Canada (born & raised!) where Songza really took off in the last few years, the users will quickly and happily switch Google Play Music; because to be honest I don’t know more than two people who use the G’s music service.
The shutdown/switch of services will happen on January 31st, 2016. Will you be switching or giving it a shot?
