This is a comparison of online music storage services (Cloud Music Services), Internet services that allow uploads of personally owned or licensed music to the cloud for listening on multiple devices.
There are currently three large services--Amazon Music, Apple's iTunes Match, and Google Play Music--each incorporating an online music store (see comparison), with purchased songs from the associated music store not counting toward storage limits. Other than additional storage space, the main additional feature provided with an annual fee by Amazon.com and Apple is "scan-and-match", which examines music files on a computer and adds a copy of matched tracks to the user's music locker without having to upload the files. Google provides both a large amount of storage space and the scan-and-match feature at no cost.
Amazon was the first of the currently significant players to launch their cloud music locker service in late March 2011. Amazon Music launched without obtaining any new music streaming licenses, which upset the major record labels. Google launched their service less than a month and a half later, also without obtaining any new licenses. Apple negotiated with the major record labels for a new license before launching their service six months after Google's. Amazon and Google eventually negotiated licenses before launching their scan-and-match features.
For streaming services where a person is unable to upload their own music, but is limited to music provided by the service, such as Pandora Radio and Spotify, see Comparison of on-demand streaming music services. See that article also for information on subscription streaming services provided by four of the companies below (Google Play Music All Access, Apple's Apple Music, Amazon's Prime Music, and Microsoft's Groove Music Pass).
Video Comparison of online music lockers
Comparison
Major differences between the services are Google offering scan-and-match and a large amount of storage as no-cost features, whereas others usually offer limited or no storage space for free and scan and match only with an annual fee. For users with extremely large libraries, Amazon offers the most storage space for a reasonable annual fee.
Amazon does not allow podcasts, ringtones, or audiobooks to be uploaded. Apple does not allow audiobooks or podcasts to be uploaded.
Maps Comparison of online music lockers
Former or defunct services
- My.MP3.com started in January 2000, fought major record labels in UMG v. MP3.com, and the service was discontinued by a new owner.
- MP3tunes started in late 2005, fought major record labels in Capitol Records, Inc. v. MP3Tunes, LLC, and closed in 2012 after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
- Lala started in 2006, was purchased by Apple, and shut down on May 31, 2010.
- mSpot Music started in May 2010, was purchased by Samsung, and shut down on October 15, 2012.
- Best Buy Music Cloud debuted in June 2011 to unfavourable reviews.
- Mougg started in 2010, renamed to Mashup in 2012, the domain ceased to function in December 2012. In April 2013, the service returned to its original name.
- Ubuntu One only included music features (web and mobile app playback, 20 GB storage) with the paid plan. The service was shut down on 1 June 2014.
- Samsung Music Hub is only available for a few Samsung devices. Samsung Music Hub was retired on 1 July 2014.
See also
- List of music software
References
Source of article : Wikipedia
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