Two weeks ago, Google unveiled its music service, called Google Play Music All Access. With Google play you can discover new artists, browse millions of tracks and share music you buy with your friends on Google+. It also provides you with a cloud storage space where you can store upto 20,000 songs from your own library for free and instantly access music on any of your android devices or web without any synchronization via cables or Bluetooth.
Though this service is currently unavailable in India, still there are various alternatives in the market.
With Google Play Music All Access you can browse hundreds of free songs and millions more with purchase options. The music you choose is automatically stored in your Google play music library and instantly ready to play on your computer or android based phone or tablet and when Google Play Music does come to India, it will offer another option as it is one of the fastest-growing music markets.
So, if you want to buy music via internet, what choices do you have?
The most obvious option that comes to one’s mind is Apple, which started it all with its iTunes store back in 2003 and accessible to Indians in December last year. It is the world’s largest market for digital music. But be warned: some, though not all, tracks bought from the iTunes store will work only on Apple devices. You will not, for example, be able to play such music in your car. However, it does also sell music that can be played on other devices.
Flipkart’s digital music service widely known as Flyte also offers you with a wide variety of choice such as If you like Indian music — the genre includes Bollywood, devotional, classical, ghazals and regional music The site has a wide range of international music as well.You can buy music that can be played in your car, burnt to a CD, stored on a pen drive, or in your Android device/ iPhone to play anywhere. The prices are very competitive — tracks start at Rs. 12 and albums at Rs. 45.
Some music company’s offers digital music for sale but its repertoire is restricted to its own (admittedly massive) library like Saregama and Sony Music which recently launched it’s music application named Sony Music Jive, which allows users to download songs from Sony Music’s two-million song catalogue on its new range of Xperia phone. This service is free for six months.
Whereas if you are a fan of the India Indie bands (songs performed by the bands in pubs etc) then oklisten.com will offer you a fairly wide choice.
Lowest price per track starts at Rs. 15 whereas for albums it is Rs. 75
However, if you only want to enjoy your favorite track and don’t want to splurge on it, then visit sites likeGaana.com, Saavn.com, Jango.com or Hungama.com. Here you have to be connected to the internet through the duration of the song or your playlist and can listen to your song for free.
Though if you want to download the music you like then Gaana and Saavn now offer you the capability b y making you sign up for their Pro Program, which starts at Rs. 170 per month. But these songs won’t play, the moment your subscription is over.
Overview of the Market in India
|
|
iTunes |
Flyte |
OkListen |
|
Advantages |
A good catalogue that is growing; has a clear system of defining genres and music. |
One of the biggest catalogues of Indian and popular music. |
Great Indie Catalogue: if it’s a band you heard in a pub, chances are that you’ll find them here. |
|
Disadvantages |
Some albums might be slightly expensive. |
You may not find some indie albums, or some international music. |
Very small catalogue; very little music from international bands. |
|
Lowest Price per Track |
INR 12 |
INR 12 |
INR 15 |
|
Lowest Price per Album |
INR 75 |
INR 45 |
INR 75 |
The Numbers Tell the Story:
- INR 1000 Crores: Projected size of Indian Music Market in 2013.
- INR 700 Crores: Size of Indian Music Industry in 2012.
- 50% share of digital music in Indian music market compared to 34% globally.
Growing Fast:
- India music industry is growing at about 40%.
- India expected to be among top 10 global markets.
- Bollywood songs are most popular.