Google continues to update and improve the Google Play Music app through updates but also some behind-the-scenes updates to the music app. The latest little touch came last week in a more streamlined and uniform search windows in the app. Searching within the app has always been there but it has functioned slightly different than the search function in other Google apps. That, it seems, is no longer the case. Now when you tap the search icon within the app you see your search history in a drop down list and you can of course search for new terms like artists, albums or genre.
The update came to Google Play Music as a behind-the-scenes update and does not require a new version of the app for your Android phone or tablet. It will just appear for you when it is rolled out to your device. At this point however everyone should be seeing it.
Google Play Music – Free (In-App Purchases) – Download Now
As part of this new search drop down, there is also an option to identify what’s playing. If you are in a store or elsewhere and want to know the artist and song that is playing, just tap this feature and the app will listen and identify the song for you. Then you can of course purchase it through the app or if you are a Google Play Music Unlimited subscriber, simply download it to your device
New Search View in Google Play Music
to listen to later.
Keep in mind that the app itself is free and you can stream stations of various genre through your Android phone or tablet (and you can cast it to your Chromecast too) while those who subscribe to the $9.99 per month program can download content to their devices to listen to offline. Further, the subscription gives you access to the ad-free version of YouTube, YouTube Red.
Family subscriptions to Google Play Music are $14.99 per month for up to 6 people.
