Google has temporarily taken down its enhanced music search service OneBox, which only ever went live in the US, with promises that when it returns it will do so in an all new, all improved way, possibly with extra zing.

This has led to widespread speculation that Google is close to putting its long expected cloud storage and player service live, and that OneBox-style music search functionality will be bundled into that, rather than existing as a stand alone thing.

It’s known Google is now beta testing its music-based digital-locker, while some techie types have stumbled across a version online. It’s also known an Android app for the new locker service is ready to go.

But it is also thought Google wants to launch its locker with the music industry’s blessing, unlike rivals Amazon. How quickly the web giant can score label and publisher endorsements remains to be seen, but it could take sometime longer than getting the technology right.

Sections: Digital - Top Stories | Tags: Google, OneBox

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