Google May Be Prepping Music Service

Google may be ramping up to take on the iTunes Store with its own online music service called Google Audio. Apparently the Internet search giant has been negotiating with record labels for content in recent weeks, according to TechCrunch.

Google Audio will be separate from its music download service in China, and will likely be limited to the United States, at least at first. There isn't any word yet on whether the rumored music service will offer downloads, streaming, or both.

Apple is already seeing some competition from Amazon.com in the music download space, and Google could potentially kick that up a notch if it starts its own music service, too. Details are still thin, but if Google Audio pans out, Apple will find itself competing with Google on three fronts: Smartphones, Web browsers, and now music.