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Tag: play music

  • Google Play Music’s last update helps users get rid of the Android app

    Google Play Music’s last update helps users get rid of the Android app

    Google’s Play Music service is officially dead, but it seems that the Android app needed one last update that will allow users to completely get rid of it. Even those who have already migrated to YouTube Music are required to download the update since this is the only way to permanently hide the app.

    Most likely the last update for the Play Music app enables users to hide the app and all data associated with it. Many Android smartphones come preinstalled with the Play Music app and Google still hasn’t found a way to let people uninstall it, even though the service has been discontinued.

    If you don’t own a smartphone that doesn’t allow you to uninstall the Play Music, then this update is of no use since you probably already removed the app after switching to YouTube Music. The rest of you who can’t do that though should update the Play Music app and then tap the “Hide app” and/or “Delete all local data” options.

    Once both options are selected, the Play Music app should no longer appear in the app drawer. On top of that, you will no longer be able to run the app on your Android phone.

  • YouTube Music can now play local files on Android

    YouTube Music can now play local files on Android

    The phase-out of Play Music in favor of YouTube Music has been a long time coming, though Google’s actions towards this goal haven’t been particularly quick or decisive up to this point. However, with the latest update, YouTube Music has gained an important feature that brings it closer to being Google’s one and only music streaming service. We’re talking about the ability to play local files on your Android phone – something so basic, yet so elusive.

    The latest update for YouTube Music has added local music integration to the app. The feature can be found under the “Library” tab and allows you to play music files that are stored on your SD card or the internal memory of your Android device.

    Previous updates to Google’s up-and-coming music streaming app allowed it to be used for playback when opening audio files on your phone, but it didn’t have a built-in local content browser, which is the biggest change in the latest iteration.

    Upon launching the local content browser in YouTube Music, you’ll notice a message that reads, “These songs can be played on their own, but can’t be added to queues or playlists with songs from YouTube Music. They also can’t be cast to another device.” This limitation is rather odd, considering the Google Play Music allows for playlists that seamlessly mix on-device songs with tunes from the cloud. This could change in future updates, or could be a strategy to bolster the streaming subscriber base.

    Another omission that should (hopefully) eventually make it into the YouTube Music app is the ability to migrate your library from Google Play Music.

    The local music browser is not yet available worldwide, and seems to be enabled by a server-side switch on Google’s part.