(Image Source: Google Music)

BY EVAN THOMAS

ANCHOR LAUREN GORES

You're watching global multisource video news analysis from Newsy.

Remember Google Music? Google says it will make its storage and sharing service public within the next two weeks-- whether or not the major record labels have signed on.

“Google music beta is a free service that lets users upload and manage music-- like Apple’s iTunes-- Google’s service is for MP3s. Downloads will cost about 99 cents. However, customers could get frustrated because Google is unlikely, they say, to secure rights from major music labels Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group.”

The Wall Street Journal points out-- what’s a music service without music?

“Launching a music service without the participation of all four major label companies can be risky. Users can get turned off quickly if they can't find an artist or a song they want, and the majors distribute more than 87% of the music sold in the U.S."

It’s a balancing act. Mobiledia says Google might be short on tunes, but it’s playing to a much faster tempo.

“Google's moves to beef up music offerings ... echoes the moves of competitors. Both Apple's iTunes and Spotify waited to launch until they had all four major music labels' signatures on the line.”

Gizmodo says-- Google’s got guts. This service is still relatively half-baked, and going up against entrenched titans like Apple.

“It's a risky play by Google to offer what it knows is an incomplete service to the general public when much of the competition is up and running without a hitch.”

But 9to5Google says the service makes sense, even for the labels who are reluctant to sign on. Didn’t they want something that could stand up to iTunes?

“Paired with the power of the cloud and Google’s existing web-based music locker … the company could create a compelling alternative to iTunes, something record labels have been clamoring for the past decade.”

Rumors suggest the Google Music will sport social tools that let you share music with friends after you’ve purchased it.