Google Play For The Whole Family

The digital media market has been around for along time now but has always had one huge drawback when compared to physical media like DVD's, CD's, and books...sharing.

If you bought a film on DVD that you really wanted someone to watch, it was as easy as taking it off your shelf and handing it to them. Admittedly, getting it back can be a bigger issue, but thats a discussion for another day. It goes without saying, that when you have bought a film in iTunes or Google Play this isn't possible. Historically, when you buy something digitally, you buy it for yourself as it stays in your account.

Apple tried to combat this in 2014 with iOS 8 when they announced Apple Family Sharing. This meant that for no extra cost, anything you bought digitally could be shared with up to 5 family members (or friends).

Google obviously thought this was a good idea as they announced earlier this month that they will be doing the same thing with Google Play Store content.

I use iOS devices and Android devices every day. I have to admit that I am dramatically more excited about Google Play adding this feature than I was with iTunes. Here's why...

First, I am a self confessed tech geek so I have a few devices around my home for watching/streaming music and TV. My family, not so much. When they all had iPhones, not one of them bought an Apple TV. When they migrated over to Android, each and everyone of them got a (much cheaper and more practical) Chromecast. They, like most non-tech people out there, are more likely to watch something from the Play Store as they can watch it on a big screen much easier than they would with something from iTunes.

Second, I plough through iTunes, the App Store, and Google Play Store daily to check for new releases and special offers. I have noticed that Google Play usually has fairer prices and better offers, including freebies. It is much easier to build a library on Google Play than iTunes.

Third and finally, I have mentioned this before (once or twice), Google Play purchases are available almost everywhere! If I buy an album or a film from Google Play, I can watch it on my iPhone or iPad or inside any desktop browser. If I buy from iTunes, there is no way to watch it on an android device. There is one member of my family who will not come away from iTunes, that shouldn't mean he can't have access to my movies library from Google Play.

Google Play Family Library (seriously Google, your marketing team needs to work on naming) should be rolling out to devices at the end of July. Watch this space.

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Until next time…

#itunes #PlayStore #sharing #media