Search engine giant Google is set to launch a music service in the imminent future, a report suggests.
According to sources cited by TechCrunch, the new platform will initially be available to web users in the US but it has not been revealed whether tracks will be available to download, stream or both.
One name mooted for the service is Google Audio and sources claim that it will be very different from the search firm's music download system that was rolled out to the Chinese public last year.
This news comes in the same week that it was revealed Swedish music sharing website Spotify is to be included in a tariff and handset offer with mobile phone operator 3 and involving the HTC Hero Android system.
Spotify has gone from strength to strength since its launch just over a year ago.
It picked up an award for best innovation of 2009 at the recent T3 Gadget Awards and was said to have "a superb interface, massive tune selection and seamlessly smooth, high-fidelity music streaming".
Google's - which was voted brand of they year at the same ceremony - could see its new service become a Spotify competitor, although it is unclear exactly what the music system will be offering.
