Google Play Ireland

censuspro

Anyone know why google play and google store is not fully available in Ireland. Very disappointing not having full access.

lertsnim

How do we not have full access?

Keith186

censuspro wrote: »

Anyone know why google play and google store is not fully available in Ireland. Very disappointing not having full access.

I think it's due to the rights of the media owners or representatives. Spotify launched recently, hopefully that means the powers that be are loosening their grip.

lertsnim wrote: »

How do we not have full access?

Apps only in ROI. Try buy a book or movies like you can in a good few other countries. AFAIK there's ways around it by changing IP address but it's not 'official'.

EDIT: Someone in other thread mentioned end of November for sale of devices. Hope their right!
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=81792137&postcount=334

beardo81

Do you mean for movies books and music?I think it has something to do with Ireland ancient licensing laws. definitely not impossible though Apple and Microsoft sell content here.we are a small island and probably not high on their list of priorities.

Apps are the only thing you can buy on Google Store.

lertsnim

Keith186 wrote: »

Apps only in ROI.

Oh right

msouden

I just called the googleplex to see what the company line was on google play media offerings ever coming to Ireland. (via this page: https://support.google.com/googleplay/bin/request.py?contact_type=contact_policy&policy=apps and a US-based Skype number)

The short answer seems to be something like "not in the foreseeable future". So, as an ignorant American, what exactly is the issue? It was probably more work for the googleplex to turn off media sales and allow just app purchasing (the current state) than it would be to then have them "flip the switch" on media sales (and all the cloud goodness that goes with it).

If it's a licensing thing, then I'll cynically jump to "what's the money trail on this?"

3 ideas:

1. Some palms got greased by recording labels
2. Some wonk was trying to shake down Google to get the change paid for - if not for a slice of the bigger pie. (really dumb)
3. There's a deliberate gumming up of the licensing change in place because someone with friends in high places thinks their Irish-based "cloud-thingy" widget/plan/startup would be able to compete. (This NEVER works- especially with the G-plex).

Here's the email from the Google rep :

---

Hi Matt,

Thank you for contacting Google about your issue with the availability of Google Movies and Music. It was my pleasure to assist you but at this time, we're only able to provide support for Google Play issues, so for help with Google Movies and Music, please visit the Google Help Center at http://support.google.com/googleplay/?hl=en, where you'll find extensive, up-to-date information and solutions for that product.

Also I've included a couple of links with further information on availability below:

For Movies and TV

http://support.google.com/googleplay/bin/answer.py?hl=en-AU&answer=2660028

For Music

http://support.google.com/googleplay/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1114577

If for any reason you need to contact us again, please feel free to reply directly to this email or visit our help center at:

support.google.com/googleplay

Best Regards,

Gatling

So basically you wasted a good email

Dudda

It's all to do with licensing and rights. Google have "flipped the switch" in some countries like Mexico and India for more Google Play content over the last few weeks so it's not like it's an Ireland only problem or they aren't working on it.

While I'm not sure about Movies or TV I'm very optimistic about Google Music arriving soon in Ireland. Back in November Google signed a deal with Armonia for the rights to Music. Usually music deals work on a country by country basis which is why you'll see Music in the UK and USA but not in other countries. Spotify have had similar problems. The important thing about the Google Music deal in November was it covered 35 Countries including Ireland, not just one.

http://www.armoniaonline.eu/homeLayout_en
or full press release at
http://www.armoniaonline.eu/release/CPArmoniaGoogleEnglish20121119.pdf

Google have a big I/O Conference in May where they usually announce lots of big new features. Screenshots of Google Play 4.0 app are around on tech blogs and I wouldn't be surprised if the music rollout and new play app update are all launched together at the conference.

Google Play 4.0
http://www.androidauthority.com/google-play-store-4-0-screenshot-leaks-on-google-then-removed-186252/

Nolimits

msouden wrote: »

I just called the googleplex to see what the company line was on google play media offerings ever coming to Ireland. (via this page: https://support.google.com/googleplay/bin/request.py?contact_type=contact_policy&policy=apps and a US-based Skype number)

The short answer seems to be something like "not in the foreseeable future". So, as an ignorant American, what exactly is the issue? It was probably more work for the googleplex to turn off media sales and allow just app purchasing (the current state) than it would be to then have them "flip the switch" on media sales (and all the cloud goodness that goes with it).

If it's a licensing thing, then I'll cynically jump to "what's the money trail on this?"

3 ideas:

1. Some palms got greased by recoding labels
2. Some wonk was trying to shake down Google to get the change paid for - if not for a slice of the bigger pie. (really dumb)
3. There's a deliberate gumming up of the licensing change in place because someone with friends in high places thinks their Irish-based "cloud-thingy" widget/plan/startup would be able to compete. (This NEVER works- especially with the G-plex).

Here's the email from the Google rep :

---

Hi Matt,

Thank you for contacting Google about your issue with the availability of Google Movies and Music. It was my pleasure to assist you but at this time, we're only able to provide support for Google Play issues, so for help with Google Movies and Music, please visit the Google Help Center at http://support.google.com/googleplay/?hl=en, where you'll find extensive, up-to-date information and solutions for that product.

Also I've included a couple of links with further information on availability below:

For Movies and TV

http://support.google.com/googleplay/bin/answer.py?hl=en-AU&answer=2660028

For Music

http://support.google.com/googleplay/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1114577

If for any reason you need to contact us again, please feel free to reply directly to this email or visit our help center at:

support.google.com/googleplay

Best Regards,

When Ireland does eventually get access, it will be with a lot of other countries, announced at something like Google I/O or at least a press release, even if the person who replied to you knew when it was coming here (and it's doubtful even if it was going to be announced tomorrow) he/she would not tell you. That news would be distributed in an official capacity and not to someone who emails them a question

My only purely gut feeling is that we'll have something by the end of the year. Ireland was never going to be in the first European roll out but might very well be in the next one

irishpancake

Gatling wrote: »

So basically you wasted a good email

Fair play to Matt for at least making an effort. [Thanks Matt, I gave you a like!!]

You, OTOH, definitely wasted a reply to boards, to give of your smart-ass remark, which illuminated precisely nada.

How come we can't give a "dislike"....in-post??

I put it in the title anyway!!!

Gatling

irishpancake wrote: »

Fair play to Matt for at least making an effort. [Thanks Matt, I gave you a like!!]

You, OTOH, definitely wasted a reply to boards, to give of your smart-ass remark, which illuminated precisely nada.

How come we can't give a "dislike"....in-post??

I put it in the title anyway!!!

Its what the majority already knew no play Ireland get used to it

irishpancake

Gatling wrote: »

Its what the majority already knew no play Ireland get used to it

There is Play in Ireland, you just dunno how to get it man :P

Gatling

irishpancake wrote: »

There is Play in Ireland, you just dunno how to get it man :P

Have play on my nexus 7 wouldn't let a little thing like that her in the way ,
Wonder how long we will be waiting for the play prepay cards in tescos

msouden

Hehe. I've a wife and an American accent, there's more of *that* kind of Play around me than ever. Irony abounds.

As for the wasted email/skype call - sure. I never really expected to get any *actual* information- just wanted something useful to kick up some dust here on boards and see what comes of it - and see? I learned about the I/O conference, Play 4.0, and Armonia. Thanks folks.

As for the "smartass" - well - downvote me if you like - but that kind of funny money stuff happens all the time. I've a long colorful (no "u") history of smart-assed-ness. It's useful.

Now - I'm gonna go see what/who Armonia is...

Cheers,
Matt

irishpancake

msouden wrote: »

Hehe. I've a wife and an American accent, there's more of *that* kind of Play around me than ever. Irony abounds.

As for the wasted email/skype call - sure. I never really expected to get any *actual* information- just wanted something useful to kick up some dust here on boards and see what comes of it - and see? I learned about the I/O conference, Play 4.0, and Armonia. Thanks folks.

As for the "smartass" - well - downvote me if you like - but that kind of funny money stuff happens all the time. I've a long colorful (no "u") history of smart-assed-ness. It's useful.

Now - I'm gonna go see what/who Armonia is...

Cheers,
Matt

He Matt....smartass not directed at you, just the guy with the Gatling [Gun] moniker!!

Anyway, he get's Play, so it's all good.

Gatling

msouden wrote: »

Hehe. I've a wife and an American accent, there's more of *that* kind of Play around me than ever. Irony abounds.

As for the wasted email/skype call - sure. I never really expected to get any *actual* information- just wanted something useful to kick up some dust here on boards and see what comes of it - and see? I learned about the I/O conference, Play 4.0, and Armonia. Thanks folks.

As for the "smartass" - well - downvote me if you like - but that kind of funny money stuff happens all the time. I've a long colorful (no "u") history of smart-assed-ness. It's useful.

Now - I'm gonna go see what/who Armonia is...

Cheers,
Matt

I think the smart ass was for me

Gatling

Gatling wrote: »

I think the smart ass was for me

Didnt see the above post from Irish pancake

msouden

No worries guys, I am, and will continue to crack wise. Always. Here's hoping I can do it to cloud-based tunes someday soon.

Ste-

Music gone live in Ireland ?
I seem to have access to Music with no vpn.

Zaph

Yeah, me too.

Gatling

msouden wrote: »

No worries guys, I am, and will continue to crack wise. Always. Here's hoping I can do it to cloud-based tunes someday soon.

DOOoooooooooooh

Dude Google listened to you

Now where's my hat and ketchup

irishgeo

Music here too on my nexus 7

Nolimits

Showing up here as well, only on browser not on my phone

JohnK

Its showing up in the browser and on my phone here. Uploading a few thousand songs at the moment

Andy-Pandy

I've got it too, how long will it take to upload 22000 songs?

thomasj

JohnK wrote: »

Its showing up in the browser and on my phone here. Uploading a few thousand songs at the moment

Yep working for me too!

Strangely enough, Samsung's music hub became available in Ireland only 2 or 3 days ago.

Conspiracy theory territory or what!

Nolimits

Yep, got it on my phone as well now

skodacb

At last Happy Days.

My bank account will not be happy though.

5starpool

Music online for me too, although it is the one thing I had already done via vpn before

Proper device purchase power is what I really want though in advance of the next Nexus phone. Hopefully this is the start of full play access, but I doubt it'll be that simple.

thomasj

Updated list of countries

Music on Google Play is currently available in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, United States, and United Kingdom.

Dudda

This is great. I was using it already but its good to have it officially.

Anyone notice we don't have a free track of the week like the U.K. version or can I just not find it on the Irish version?

Ivefoundgod

I can access it through the browser but when I try buy anything it says it's not available.

swampy353

Music store available to me and bought a track, seems to be fully live

Mr E

Cool... just bought an album - it was 50c less than iTunes and it is 320kbps in quality.

One thing people should be aware of is that you can only download an album twice from the library once purchased (but you can listen to it as much as you want via the web or using the app).

youcancallmeal

So now that its finally here what are the features of Google play music that I should be getting excited about?

ThisRegard

youcancallmeal wrote: »

So now that its finally here what are the features of Google play music that I should be getting excited about?

+1

I can see the attraction of having all your music in the cloud and owning it, but my CD collection is on an old decrepit machine somewhere in the attic so it's too much hassle at the moment to upload it. I'm a fully converted Spotify addict so any album I want to listen to I'll stream or download to a device somewhere (for €9.99 per month with the proviso that once I stop being a subscriber the music goes with the subscription). I've access to any newly released album that I've looked for so the attraction of being able to buy a single album for the same price doesn't appeal to me at the moment.

Having said that some of the album prices aren't bad compared to iTunes the last time I checked their prices

Andy-Pandy

How do i make this work, I've a few tunes uploaded, but i cant get them on the app on my phone.

elderlemon

are you using Google music on the phone. On the menu bar select all music and it should show you what's "in the cloud". You can choose the music and long press to keep on device.

Andy-Pandy wrote: »

How do i make this work, I've a few tunes uploaded, but i cant get them on the app on my phone.

Andy-Pandy

It doesnt have that option, its giving me the options for All Music and On device Only. No Cloud options. All music isnt showing me anything different.

Nolimits

Andy-Pandy wrote: »

It doesnt have that option, its giving me the options for All Music and On device Only. No Cloud options. All music isnt showing me anything different.

Have you synced your phone sine you put it on?

elderlemon

all music is cloud and device. Select that and see if the music you are looking for shows up.

Andy-Pandy wrote: »

It doesnt have that option, its giving me the options for All Music and On device Only. No Cloud options. All music isnt showing me anything different.

Do you have sync enabled? If you do, try some of these possibilities.

projectgtr

Nolimits wrote: »

Have you synced your phone sine you put it on?

This is what you need to do go into settings/accounts and sync your Google account job done. Happens if you have sync turned off in your power widget.

Atomic Pineapple

ThisRegard wrote: »

+1

I can see the attraction of having all your music in the cloud and owning it, but my CD collection is on an old decrepit machine somewhere in the attic so it's too much hassle at the moment to upload it. I'm a fully converted Spotify addict so any album I want to listen to I'll stream or download to a device somewhere (for €9.99 per month with the proviso that once I stop being a subscriber the music goes with the subscription). I've access to any newly released album that I've looked for so the attraction of being able to buy a single album for the same price doesn't appeal to me at the moment.

Having said that some of the album prices aren't bad compared to iTunes the last time I checked their prices

Same here, Spotifiy suits me now, as my CD collection has just got lost/damaged over time, between moves etc so having access to whatever I want via Spotify makes more sense to me but if I was a few years younger I'd still have a huge CD/Ripped collection and using Google music would have made more sense over Spotify then.

Andy-Pandy

\i needed to set up the sync. Thanks all.

msouden

Holy Crap! Okay - quick - before this magic stops... what should I call and ask them for next? A Chromebook pixel, that gmail client for mac they bought a while back... tickets to I/O... what else?

Jet Black

Good to see some progress towards a fully functional store. So does this mean we could have movies on it soon?

Nolimits

Jet Black wrote: »

Good to see some progress towards a fully functional store. So does this mean we could have movies on it soon?

Movies seems like a big step, I would expect to have magazines/books soon ish though. It's weird that Google are doing all this now, a re designed play store and expanding services seems like the kind of thing they'd announce at I/O with it being so close.

Uriel.

I am accessing through my web browser and I seem to have movies and magazines as well etc... not using vpn (work machine).

Anyone else have this?

EDIT: sorry to dash hopes, forgot I switched my account to UK when buying the Nexus 10 - seems to default to UK even though i login under google.ie...

Alpha Dog 1

Some decent prices there but I listen to a lot of music so €120 per year for spotify makes sense.
When Google release there streaming service I'd happily change over.