Google Music Beta

[SteveAndBelle]

Sunk my teeth into Google Music Beta late last week and although still very early days it seems to work pretty well.

For those of you who don't know it's just a 'cloud' based music service but will be very handy for those of us who don't like Apple and/or their iTunes and/or their iCloud. Once you've logged in (*) you point it to your music collection and let it upload all your tracks to the 'cloud' (limit of 20,000 per user at this stage). Once all your tracks have uploaded you can then access them from any internet connected device including your work PC, friends house etc. or even via mobile networks to your phone or tablet or whatever. If you have an Android device you can install the Google Music Beta app making it much faster & smoother than using the web interface. You can make Playlists and enjoy them across multiple devices (up to 8 at this stage).

Extending this further (as I did on the weekend just gone) I Bluetoothed the sounds from the phone to my Corollas Head Unit and it worked very well indeed... 100Gb of music streamed to my phone via 3G then out to the head unit via BT and controllable via the steering wheel controls, nice ;) Track text doesn't appear on the stock Levin ZR head unit and I'm not sure it even would on any other head unit but meh it still works very well. I think the fact I was playing from a quick 'test' playlist I created helped because the tracks seemed to cache properly before they were played. If I just browsed for any random track and hit play it would need to buffer/cache first and that obviously took a while over a 3G connection so there was a long pause before music was heard. Streaming like this obviously eats into your monthly download limit so just keep that in mind if you're thinking this is for you too.

(*) Google Music Beta is only available in the US at this stage however as long as you fool it into thinking you're in the US for the initial setup (Web Proxies & VPNs etc.) it will be fine after that. I have two invites left if anyone here would like to join in the fun on the condition that you also give away two of your 8 free invites to other TOC members too. Once I get two genuine takers I'll write up clear instructions on how to make Google think you're in the US. It's much easier than you think and you'll be uploading your collection in no time :)

Google music is still in its infancy so there's a LOT more we should be able to look forward to in the future. Any questions let 'em rip and I'll try to answer them.

PS. I have been uploading my collection for 3.5 days now and it has just reached about 6000 tracks. It's slow but once the bulk of the collection is up then it will only need to automatically update whenver you add new music to the location you've provided it... oh and Google Music doesn't like Apple DRM for obvious reasons :) If you're an iTunes user and want to use Google music you will have to make sure your music collection has no Apple DRM and isn't in M4A format... use a program like SoundTaxi to strip the DRM and convert to something more generic.

[Guest]

It sounds like a good idea, but I am not sure i want to put my 'borrowed' music in the cloud...

[DJKOR]

I would be willing to accept a kind invite and would gladly send ALL 8 invites to TOCAU members. We have an American VPN already.

[SteveAndBelle]

It sounds like a good idea, but I am not sure i want to put my 'borrowed' music in the cloud...

Ah yes, best if you were to use 100% legal tracks of course :) Unfortunately I'm one of those oldskool types who has blown tens of thousands of dollars on buying music over the last 20 years so my collection is 100% legit. Could've downloaded it all and bought a Lexus instead of a Corolla :(

Oooh, just as I was typing the above reply I got my 2nd solid request for one of my two remaining invites. No more messages please but keep an eye on this thread for my instructions and for more invites once these other guys have signed up OK.

[DJKOR]

Okay guys. I have successfully signed up to the Music Beta by Google. I now have 8 invites available as of this point in time. I will be reserving ALL 8 of these invites for TOCAU members only. I will only pass on an invite to you if you promise to offer 2 of your invites to other TOCAU members (post your offers here). I won't strictly be enforcing this, but I do ask for honesty.

From there, you can set your own condition to those that you invite, however if you stick by the "invite 2 others" layout, we could end up with quite a lot of members onboard.

For tracking purposes I will list those I have invited here:

1) Andrew357

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

7)

8)

[SteveAndBelle]

Sweet. Keep your eyes peeled for easy to understand step-by-step instructions on how to activate your invites! I'll hopefully be able to write them up tonight but may need a coffee beforehand :P

[SteveAndBelle]

... in the meantime have a look at these non-Apple car audio solutions: http://www.androidcaraudio.com/ Loads more functionaility, near enough limitless and will obviously work well with Google Music. You could very easily get a OBDII adaptor and run the Torque app to extend your dash gauges too! I've seen others DIY this concept using 7" Samsung Galaxy Tabs & blank 2-Din fascia with much success (do a search on YouTube). Makes so much sense and imagine the nice little digital amp you could chuck in behind the tab to fill up all that wasted space too.

At long last we may be able to get rid of our token void-filling 'iProducts'. Happy days!

[Guest]

something like this?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ES666AU-7-HD-Car-DVD-Player-WiFi-3G-GPS-Android-PAD-/220847153842?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item336b8422b2#ht_14377wt_1139

[SteveAndBelle]

something like this?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ES666AU-7-HD-Car-DVD-Player-WiFi-3G-GPS-Android-PAD-/220847153842?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item336b8422b2#ht_14377wt_1139

O..........M..........G! That's it! I've been searching for this exact device for months now but to be honest I haven't looked for the last few weeks. Look what appears as soon as I stop looking :P Amazing. I'll look into this for sure but it absolutely must have capacitive touchscreen and be upgraded to Android 2.2 plus a few other pre-reqs. Probably don't really need the detachable tablet feature to be honest but someone in China has definitely put a lot of thought into that.

Thanks heaps for the link Mick. Legend.

[Guest]

something like this?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ES666AU-7-HD-Car-DVD-Player-WiFi-3G-GPS-Android-PAD-/220847153842?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item336b8422b2#ht_14377wt_1139

O..........M..........G! That's it! I've been searching for this exact device for months now but to be honest I haven't looked for the last few weeks. Look what appears as soon as I stop looking :P Amazing. I'll look into this for sure but it absolutely must have capacitive touchscreen and be upgraded to Android 2.2 plus a few other pre-reqs. Probably don't really need the detachable tablet feature to be honest but someone in China has definitely put a lot of thought into that.

Thanks heaps for the link Mick. Legend.

no probs man, happy to help.

[DJKOR]

Lucky mobile reception has improved quite a bit lately as well as data speeds and cost.

[Steven]

I'd avoid those el cheapo Android integrated units for the time being. Most (ie 99%) of them only have resistive screens, low resolution (compared to the norm with tablets), slow processors and very old versions of Android OS.

Android is only just starting to run well when equipped with a dual-core processor and good quality hardware supporting it, these lower end systems are typically slow, buggy and more of a gimmick than actually useful.

[SteveAndBelle]

Google Music Setup Instructions... for Down-Underians ;)

My original instructions no longer work due to differences in the latest release of VPN software. Please see this post for updated instructions:

Enjoy.

[SteveAndBelle]

I'd avoid those el cheapo Android integrated units for the time being. Most (ie 99%) of them only have resistive screens, low resolution (compared to the norm with tablets), slow processors and very old versions of Android OS.

Android is only just starting to run well when equipped with a dual-core processor and good quality hardware supporting it, these lower end systems are typically slow, buggy and more of a gimmick than actually useful.

Mmmmm, Scotch... yum. Totally agree with you here. These need a lot of improvement before I'll take the leap however it's units like this that start the ball rolling and if this is what the generic manufacturers are pumping out just imagine what the 'brands' will offer soon!

At least Android V2.2, Capacitive Touchscreen, Haptic feedback, HDMI & Multiple Composite video outputs, unlocked 3G SIM capable, Wifi, GPS, 4x50W built-in Amp, IR Remote, USB host/s, Bluetooth, the usual line level AV ins & outs and all the usual car integration features (steering wheel controls etc.) but not much else to be honest. Who needs a silly optical drive these days? So 90's ;) The detachable tablet is a nice touch but not essential for me. DVB-T Tuner might be kinda cool tho and the ability to connect multiple cameras not just for reversing could be handy too.

Can't be too difficult right?

[corza]

Thanks so much. Uploading some songs right now.

[Guest]

I'd avoid those el cheapo Android integrated units for the time being. Most (ie 99%) of them only have resistive screens, low resolution (compared to the norm with tablets), slow processors and very old versions of Android OS.

Android is only just starting to run well when equipped with a dual-core processor and good quality hardware supporting it, these lower end systems are typically slow, buggy and more of a gimmick than actually useful.

Mmmmm, Scotch... yum. Totally agree with you here. These need a lot of improvement before I'll take the leap however it's units like this that start the ball rolling and if this is what the generic manufacturers are pumping out just imagine what the 'brands' will offer soon!

At least Android V2.2, Capacitive Touchscreen, Haptic feedback, HDMI & Multiple Composite video outputs, unlocked 3G SIM capable, Wifi, GPS, 4x50W built-in Amp, IR Remote, USB host/s, Bluetooth, the usual line level AV ins & outs and all the usual car integration features (steering wheel controls etc.) but not much else to be honest. Who needs a silly optical drive these days? So 90's ;) The detachable tablet is a nice touch but not essential for me. DVB-T Tuner might be kinda cool tho and the ability to connect multiple cameras not just for reversing could be handy too.

Can't be too difficult right?

If you didnt mind getting your hands a bit dirty, you could buy a cheap-***** tablet and mod it.

http://s.dealextreme.com/search/android.html?sort=-Price&page=1

[SteveAndBelle]

If you didnt mind getting your hands a bit dirty, you could buy a cheap-***** tablet and mod it.

http://s.dealextreme.com/search/android.html?sort=-Price&page=1

Oh yeah, I'm a hardware hacker/modder from way back and had thought about doing this with one of the few $99 MyTabs I bought earlier in the year but decided against it because of the limits of the resistive screen and the fact that I knew it would only be a matter of weeks or months until a commercial version was available anyway. I love hacking/modding hardware but if I don't get into it early enough I can't see the point because inevitably someone will release a real version anyway. DIY satisfaction (heads out of gutter now) only takes me so far these days so it's gotta be very well worthwhile & completely 'unavailable' before I go ahead with it... like when I ripped apart one of my SONOS ZonePlayers and added a HDD or when I ripped apart of of my other ZonePlayers and made my own inCAR SONOS back in 2007/8. The HDD SONOS still works to this day but the inCAR SONOS prototype had far too many power issues to deal with so I canned it :( I currently have a SONOS Play:3 on the coffee table in bits for a future project tho :)

[SteveAndBelle]

... and for all you 'iLovers' out there: http://www.thespacelab.tv/spaceLAB/2011/09September/MusicNews-019-Google-Music-iPhone-iPad.htm

No specific app released for iPhones/Pads thanks to Apples stringent Big Brothering but at least you'll be able to use it... or you can just wait for the billion dollar marketing campaign Apple will flood across the globe when they finally roll out their version of basically the same thing ;)

[DJKOR]

Come on guys. I have 8 invites to give away and no one has asked for one yet.

Cloud storage is the way to go these days. Surely there are those of you out there who are keen on utilising this.

[Andrew357]

Come on guys. I have 8 invites to give away and no one has asked for one yet.

Cloud storage is the way to go these days. Surely there are those of you out there who are keen on utilising this.

I'd take an invite but I'm a little slow regarding technical computer stuff. I'd give it a shot; but remember my music collection is somewhat limited.

[jeffy]

I would've taken an invite, but I haven't read what its about,

Too long lol feeling lazy hahas :P

Edit: as far as I know its about sharing music?

[SteveAndBelle]

I would've taken an invite, but I haven't read what its about,

Too long lol feeling lazy hahas :P

Edit: as far as I know its about sharing music?

Not really... see the 2nd paragraph in the OP:

"For those of you who don't know it's just a 'cloud' based music service but will be very handy for those of us who don't like Apple and/or their iTunes and/or their iCloud. Once you've logged in you point it to your music collection and let it upload all your tracks to the 'cloud' (limit of 20,000 per user at this stage). Once all your tracks have uploaded you can then access them from any internet connected device including your work PC, friends house etc. or even via mobile networks to your phone or tablet or whatever. If you have an Android device you can install the Google Music Beta app making it much faster & smoother than using the web interface. You can make Playlists and enjoy them across multiple devices (up to 8 at this stage)."

I know I crap on too much but the above is all you really need to know. Not really for 'sharing' music (at this stage) but more for allowing you to access your own music from 'anywhere' that has an internet connection. Easy.

[SteveAndBelle]

Update: Can't recommend Google Music enough. Just been driving around for the last 3-4 hours doing some pickups from places I'd never been before. Flawlessly played my music from the cloud via Google Music Beta while Google Maps Navigation Beta kicked in with it's voice directions whenever it needed to. Phone battery level plummeted (purposely left it off charge) and it got mice & warm but yeah, apart from that I couldn't fault it! Crystal clear audio, no breaks or pauses. Very nice. Hardly any need for a traditional Head Unit anymore, only really need a Bluetooth recieving Amp with very basic steering wheels controls.

Wonder if any Google product will make it through the Beta phase :P

[Andrew357]

Let the uploading begin and goodnight.

[SteveAndBelle]

The upload is so painful! 14,000 tracks in 12 days so only a few more days to go before my entire collection is up... but I've already been loving it even before all tracks are available ;)

Google away!