This post is an update from this one: http://chaimtime.com/2011/07/31/google-music-for-the-win-in-the-cloud-storage-war/
I’ve now dealt with all three services for an extensive amount of time, and I can comfortably say that I still enjoy google music (or play music). Since that post, I’ve changed how I deal with certain issues.
I’m still running a mac, hooked up to a windows home server, connected to my android phone, ipod nano (3rd gen) in my car, and my ipad2. I still can’t find a winning system, but I think this is the best. Obviously this works for today only, and tomorrow may change things.
My current setup is:
iTunes on my mac for music management. I run a mac, and have iOS devices, and I see my future still having iOS devices. I know that iTunes on Windows is painful to run, but I have a mac. I know we can argue about doubletwist, but I’ve used it and don’t like it. It takes forever to load. On a mac you have to use iTunes.
Podcasts: I use Shifty Jelly – PocketCasts . There is google listen, but it requires setting up RSS, and it isn’t that intuitive. Pay the money to get a real solution.
Android management: I use JRT Studio – iSyncr. Support is great, and it works. Again, pay the money, and you won’t regret it.
Cloud Solution: Google Music – Free, and cross platform (I think the right way).