Google Debuts Free ‘Messenger App’ For Android And ‘YouTube Music Key’ Ad-Free Subscription Service For $7.99

Google has released a "Messenger app" for Android users in the Google Play Store. YouTube, on the other hand, has introduced the long-awaited "Music Key" service with a subscription fee of $7.99.

Google Messenger App

The new "Messenger app" can be used to send and receive SMS and MMS from any Android smartphone. Though the app uses the stock Android SMS/MMS controller of v5.0 Lollipop, it is compatible with Android phones running on v4.1 or higher, according to Phone Arena.

Furthermore, Messenger users can capture pictures, videos and even audio messages straight from the app and share with the contacts. The ultimate feature, however, is that, in case any contact troubles the Messenger users, the app can be used to block the particular person's messages.

This app supports Emoji, along with coloured text threads and message archiving support. With Lollipop, the app has the Material Design written all over it. The introduction of the new Messenger does not replace Google Hangouts; hence, Hangout fans can still utilise the service. Notably, this app can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store.

YouTube Music Key

Google has announced the most-awaited YouTube subscription service dubbed "Music Key." This service brings offline music, full albums and ad-free music playback to the subscribed users. Music Key is a beta service and will set the subscribers back by $7.99 each month. However, this is a limited time offer, but the offer expiration date is still unknown. Once the offer runs out, the subscription fee will be upped to $9.99, according to Phone Arena.

In a couple of days, a planned upgrade to YouTube will provide support to the Music Key service. Also, this service is an invite-only beta at this point. Nevertheless, it will be available for all users in the near future. Reportedly, the Music Key service will add a new section to YouTube music. This section will help subscribers find albums, artist discographies, covers, remixes and mashups, to name a few.

Other significant features include playlists based on the user history, trending music and integration with Songza, introduced recently in Google Play Music. The Songza feature lets users build playlists depending on time, mood and activity. The playlist can be streamed online or stored locally as an offline playback. Notably, those who subscribe to this beta service will get six months of free service.

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