Google unveils Magnifier

WHAT’S A MAGNIFIER? It isn’t a store or a service, but it’s a start. With a total absence of fanfare, Google yesterday unveiled a music-discovery site it calls Magnifier. Getting in requires an invitation, a la Spotify and turntable.fm. We, of course, have yet to get one, but Digital Music News’ Paul Resnikoff got in and discovered a wealth of content, including free downloads, videos, images, interviews, songs of the day, exclusive live sets and recommendations, with content updated on a daily basis. "Sometimes it will be new artists we think deserve more attention," offered Google head of Music Programming Tim Quirk. "And sometimes there will be video interviews and live performances." As Resnikoff notes, Magnifier is integrated with Google’s Music Beta storage locker from both a branding and functional standpoint. "You can add any or all of the songs to your Music Beta library instantly," Quirk continued. If nothing else, Magnifier introduces a content layer into the Music Beta mix, taking it beyond user-uploaded collections. (8/18a)