Google Music is awesome, but I think we all can agree that its app kind of sucks.
Well, okay, maybe it doesn't suck, but there are tons of third-party music apps that are better; even the native HTC Music is pretty cool with Beats Audio. These alternatives bring so many features to the music listening experience that Google Music simply cannot. Unfortunately, most users (like me) are stuck using Google's simplistic app on their HTC EVO because that's where the majority of their music is stored.
Although this may be months away from completion and it may be shut down by Google at any time, a company intern named Simon Weber has been working on an unofficial API for Google Music. In plain English: this guy has made it possible to use Google Music without Google Music on your computer.
Weber is teaming up with CM9's Music app developer Andrew Neal to bring the API to Android. If everything goes well and Google doesn't step in and stop the project, this could mean that third-party app developers could grab the source code and add it to their apps.
I don't know about you, but all of my Google Music on PowerAmp or MIUI Music Player sounds pretty cool.
There are several apps that already allow you to play your Google Music in another player, including one we reported on back in October:
http://www.goodandevo.net/2011/10/how-to-play-your-google-music-in-the-htc-music-app-or-other-third-party-player.html
Granted, this probably works differently…
Really? Sucks?
I LOVE the Google Music app. Maybe you would see how cool it is if you flipped your phone horizontally – it gives you a completely different layout. This plus the ability to sort by genre are awesome.
All I would ask for more would be lock screen controls, but I believe we get that also as long as you have ICS running on it (at least my Touchpad does).
I’m aware of these alternatives.
I believe the benefit of this API would allow for the playing of your Google Music without having to download it to your phone (ahead of time). Like, using the CM9 Music player to stream your Google Music collection.
Okay, maybe I was a little harsh on the ol’ Google Music app. I should point out that it’s damn near the only music app I use on my EVOs.
BUT, I would love to see the ability to stream my Google Music collection through another app. That would be sweet.
Ah, ok – I didnt read too closely to get the difference!