Google Home - No More Free Music Streaming?

highon2str on 30/06/2017 - 11:20

So, up until a few days ago, our Google Home started to proclaim, when asked to play music, that "I'm afraid Pandora isn't available in your country"

Going back into the settings on the Home app on my phone, it looks like they've taken Pandora out of the list of free providers. Found this article online http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2017/06/27/pandora-set-to-sh…

This is a bit of a shame, ever since gettign our Google Home we have been using it to play music. Got even better after that recent deal where we got the no-ad premium account for 3 months. Now it just flat out won't work.

Is there still a way of getting music for free, without having to add the additional steps of casting from a device?

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • ExtraSalt on 30/06/2017 - 13:42

    idk, i like free stuff but with music, you always have to pay the talent…even if it's through streaming. Google Music is really good. recently moved after being on Spotify for 2 years. They recently had a 4month free promo….if you go looking somewhere on OzB, you'll find the link. Once thats over, cancel that and sign up to Spotify premium for 3months free.

    • highon2str on 30/06/2017 - 15:03

      Pandora used to be free (with ads) and played over Google Home for a few mths before just konking out.

      Thanks for the tip on Google Music, I went into the play store and the free 4 mth trial was just sitting there! Got music up and running again on our Google Home.

      Seems like it's also given us a YouTube Red membership?

      • ExtraSalt on 30/06/2017 - 16:02

        All g dude! Yep all subs come with free youtube red… Mainly the reason why I moved over. I have an 18mth old who hates car rides unless we put on the same youtube video.. With youtube red, you can download locally to your phone of ipad so even more of a bonus!

  • paulhaddon on 10/07/2017 - 11:54

    Most likely because Pandora is shutting down in Australia & New Zealand:
    https://www.engadget.com/2017/06/27/pandora-shutting-down-ne…

  • muzzakus on 15/07/2017 - 00:50

    Yeap, just asked Google Home for some smooth jazz on Pandora and was rudely told it's not available in my country.

    Have been a happy user off pandora for a long time. Sad

    • Make it so on 17/07/2017 - 16:11

      Same here. I have a Sony micro-hifi with WiFi, which can connect to online music services. Have been listening to Pandora for hours each day over the last 3 years. Now, no more. Very unfortunate, especially as the streaming quality was 128kbps, for free.

  • highon2str on 19/07/2017 - 23:22

    Found this while searching for other ways to get free music on my Google Home after my free trial expires. Found this: http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/06/29/bluetooth-streaming-…

    Google announced at I/O that Home was going to learn a few new tricks, including good old-fashioned Bluetooth streaming. Even though Bluetooth is as old as the hills in tech years, it still took some time to get this feature ready. It's rolling out now, and you might already have it on your Google Home.

    Google Home has always supported streaming audio, but that was as a Chromecast target. Your app needs to have Chromecast support baked in. Casting also requires an internet connection for most apps because the target is just reaching out to grab the feed. Google Home will work just like any other Bluetooth audio device; when connected, all media audio will be routed through the speaker in Home.

    This feature is rolling out silently to devices. A few AP staffers have checked the Home app to find "Paired Bluetooth devices" listed under device settings. Take a peek and you may already be able to stream over Bluetooth.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/07/2017 - 19:07

    I heart radio has hit pandora hard.

    Like usual all streaming services come to an end in australia for some reason…. maybe law but not sure.

    Im on optus byo and i get iheartradio without incuring data lose so its a win win for me and i like that you can get aus radio stations without a problem.

  • cheapbloke on 19/08/2017 - 17:49

    Spotify's free subscribers can now play music on Google Home
    Even if you don't pay, you can now play Spotify on your smart home hub.

    https://www.cnet.com/news/spotify-free-subscribers-can-now-p…

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