Last night, a new page was launched on the Google Store that has a somewhat strange and unexpected focus – subscriptions. This new page brings together all of the company’s subscription-based services in one place and announces them in an effort to obtain new subscriptions. While I think it is unusual to see this page launch at this particular outlet (or maybe it is at home?), It is hardly surprising to see Google doing this in the first place. The new page – which can be found using the blue button below, markets its paid services in four categories:
Programs and music
- Youtube TV
- Live TV with over 85 main channels.
- Recording with unlimited DVR space.
- Watch on Nest, Chromecasts and Pixels monitors.
- Youtube Premium
- YouTube without ads.
- YouTube Music included.
- Download videos for offline viewing.
- Play even if your screen is locked.
- Youtube Music Premium
- YouTube Music without ads.
- Play millions of songs and videos.
- Download music to your Pixel.
- Enjoy music even while using other apps.
Games
- Stadia Pro
- Play instantly with what you already have with Stadia.
- Sign up for free games with Stadia Pro.
- Discover more free games every month.
- Google Play Pass
- Hundreds of games and applications.
- No ads or in-app purchases.
- Curated collection updated monthly.
- Share with up to 5 family members.
Storage and Security
- Google One
- Get extra storage in the cloud.
- Back up important things on your phone.
- Encrypt your online activity with a VPN.
- Win Google Store rewards (up to 10% back)
- Nest Aware
- Don’t miss a thing on all Nest cameras.
- Get up to 60 days of event video history.
- Get up to 10 days of video history 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Receive alerts when packages arrive.
Telephone plan
- Google Fi
- A phone plan with simpler prices and smarter coverage.
- Pay for the data you use or choose unlimited.
- No stores, activation fees or contracts.
We’ve had a long discussion about how Google isn’t bad, but they are in the middle of an identity crisis. In today’s society, where users are becoming increasingly concerned with privacy, they must reshape their public perception of a service provider powered by advertising revenue that is free for everyone to access in exchange for their personal data for those of a company that relies more on direct payments in exchange for services. As they approach the 2023 antitrust hearing – that’s right, the company’s judgment with the Department of Justice was recently set to go to court not before 2023 – they must get rid of the advertising revenue in order for the verdict that we all know you can receive it will be much less of a scam at that point.
That’s why we’ve seen them leaning towards subscription models so much in the past few months. I predicted that this would not be the last and this new page proves that I was right about that. Personally, I think it’s a great model for changing – money for services – but the concern of many users is that Google will likely continue to leverage its data in specific ways, in addition to asking for their money. There is no information on how things will work over the next few years, but storing data and using it to serve ads are two different things. I think the former is inevitable and necessary, while the latter is not. If they use their data for ads, in addition to taking their hard earned money, they would be diving twice, so we hope that Google will resolve some of these problems before they cross that bridge.
I’ve said it before, but it can be more difficult than you think to please everyone, as its famous unified account management with single access across all its services forces each to be deeply integrated and linked to a single other. Personally, I love it, as it has created a more unified ecosystem for all of us, but it brings concerns to those who think that Google should be completely without data in the instances where they are receiving payments.
What do you think of this puzzle? Do you currently subscribe to one or more of the above services? Will you agree with them if it means that Google will agree to stop accessing your data to run your ads? Does this create a more balanced Google? How do you think their subscription line can improve? Let us know your opinion in the comments section!
Google subscriptions and services
