Google has announced that the YouTube Music app, which was launched in India earlier this year in March and is available across 43 countries, will now come pre-installed in Android 10 smartphones, replacing Google Play Music and adding to the omnipresent bloatware on Android.
All the new devices that launch with Android 10 and Android 9, including the Pixel phones, will have YouTube Music app pre-installed.
Android devices, including those running stock Android, already come with several Google apps pre-installed as well as apps by respective smartphone manufacturers. While several of the Google apps can be disabled, pre-loading apps into the operating system by no means adds to the user experience.
The YouTube Music app will occupy space on your smartphone even if you don’t use it or don’t have a subscription aren’t looking to get one in the near future. Those who wish to download it can do so anyways from the Play Store.
Google is competing with several players in music streaming, which includes the likes of Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Gaana, Saavn, and this move can be seen as a means to promote their music streaming service potentially to approximately 88% of the smartphone users worldwide.
Also read: Spotify vs Amazon Music vs YouTube Music
Earlier this month, YouTube announced changes to its verification program that were supposed to come in late October but now will probably be rolled out next year. The changes bring a new look to the verified badge and new eligibility criteria to get the channels verified. Though, due to public and creator pushback, YouTube later rescinded its idea to remove the verified badges while they were scrutinised under the new eligibility criteria.
In another important update from earlier this month, to improve the credibility and accuracy of YouTube Music Charts and 24-hour record debut, YouTube announced changes to its policy, which will now only consider organic views while ranking artists.
More in News: Google Assistant comes to Xbox One
More in News: Google rolls out Dark theme to Gmail for Android and iOS
More in News: Access apps without ads or purchases with Google Play Pass
