From minor features like sleep timers to significant additions such as Android Auto podcasts, Google is always trying to improve Google Play Music, its popular online music streaming service. Earlier today, the Mountain View-based tech giants announced another major step in that ongoing endeavor. More specifically, a major Google Play Music update which will completely overhaul the mobile app is slated to hit the Google Play Store by the end of the week.
As Elias Roman, Lead Product Manager at Google Play Music revealed, the new app will utilize machine learning and new advanced algorithms to deliver best possible listening recommendations to its users. New factors taken into account when suggesting music will include your location, activity, and weather conditions. In other words, Google Play Music will now try to cater to your listening preferences in a much more personal and customized manner. Apart from single track recommendations, these new features will also apply to playlist suggestions.
The new version of the app boasts a redesigned home screen whose contents will depend on your music preferences, habits, and all of the other factors stated above. Roman described this overhaul as “the ultimate personal DJ” who isn’t just familiar with your general preferences but also has the common sense not to recommend you workout playlists when you’re commuting to work, for example. Not surprisingly, the new suggestion algorithms and machine learning functionalities have been developed in cooperation with Google’s music curators who specialize in all kinds of music genres. Like all other AI-powered services, the new Google Play Music will get better at fulfilling your everyday needs the more you use it because its deep learning capabilities will allow it to get to know you better and consequently deliver better recommendations. Last but not least, this feature will also automatically create offline suggestions based on your latest habits and preferences so that it can still be of service even if you suddenly lose your Internet connection. The upcoming Google Play Music update will roll out in 62 countries currently supported by Google’s streaming service. If you don’t like the idea of a streaming app tracking your every activity in order to deliver more accurate recommendations, note that the new system is entirely optional and requires customers to opt in before they can use it.