Tomas Chlebek Although (or perhaps because of) Google and Apple are rivals in the mobile market, users of iOS devices can use the services that Google offers. There are apps for YouTube, Maps/Google Earth, Translate, Chrome, Gmail, Google+, Blogger and many more. Now they have been joined by an application for viewing content purchased from an audiovisual media store Google Play Movies & TV, adds so Google Play Music (iTunes alternative) and Books (iBooks alternative).
As there is also an alternative to Apple TV, Google Chromecast, owners of Apple mobile devices can now also use this device to wirelessly stream content from Google Play to the TV.
But the app seems to be more of a solution for users switching from Android to iOS who don't want to lose items purchased from the Google Play store, rather than a full-fledged alternative to iTunes. It has several limitations:
- it can only be used to view already purchased content (this must be purchased either on an Android device or through a browser on the Google Play website),
- content streamed to Chromecast is in HD, but only available in "standard definition" on iPhone
- streaming can only take place over Wi-Fi and offline viewing is not available.
The iOS experience with Google products thus remains somewhat stubborn. iOS apps are simple ports of Android programs much more than mediations of a rival company's full-fledged services. This step is completely understandable from a commercial point of view, but it does not change the fact that it is a shame that the companies are not able to agree on a somewhat more effective cooperation, in which the services would be available in a form unencumbered by the platform through which we access them.
The Google Play Movies & TV application is not yet available in the Czech App Store, but it can be assumed that this situation will not last too long.
Unfortunately, Google Play Music is also still not accessible via iOS. However, thanks to this service, I stopped buying music on iTunes. I can get the same thing on Google play music for significantly lower prices. Sometimes by a third, sometimes by half, sometimes even more. So I don't really need Android, neither does Google, but I'm glad that there is competition, because iTunes, both music and movies, are terribly overpriced.
There is already an official app for Google Play Music (All Access) for iOS, but only for the iPhone, i.e. not for the tablet - however, it can also be used on the iPad.
If I want to buy an album, then only via the web or from Android, but you probably can't expect the option of in-app purchase on iOS.
The prices there are really very different compared to iTunes, and the quality is comparable, I would say.. For example, Alt-J – An Awesome Wave CZK 70, on iTunes EUR 5,99 (approx. CZK 165)