Google Play Music will soon stream-more than just tunes. The Android official blog announced today that Google plans to start offering podcasts on-the service. The company is already calling for podcasters in the U.S. to start uploading shows now through a newly launched portal. As Ars Technica pointed out, Google previously introduced-and then discontinued Listen, an app that synced with Google Reader to help users find and listen to podcasts. When the decision to get rid of Listen was announced in 2012, Google explained that-Google Play gave people “access to a wider variety of podcast apps.” Now, however, the company seems to think that adding podcasts directly to Google Play Music is the way to go. Related:- A Serial TV series based on the podcast is coming Through Google Play Music, listeners are able to find and stream music that-fits their interests and moods, and they’ll be able to do the same with podcasts down the road. Google is currently working to build the service’s library of audio series and episodes, both by launching a-portal where-content can be uploaded and by reaching out to creators of shows. “We’re already working with more than a dozen of the most popular podcasters and networks to offer their shows when we open the service,” said-Elias Roman, Product Manager of Google Play Music in the blog post. Among those the company-plans to have available to listeners upon launch are the following: 5by5 Dan Carlin Dave Ramsey Earwolf Feral Audio Gimlet Media HBO Head Gum HowStuffWorks Loud Speakers Network Nerdist / Legendary Public Radio International Radiotopia / PRX Sideshow Network Slate / Panoply StarTalk Radio This Week in Tech Tim Ferriss Podcasters-stand to benefit from being added to Google Play Music, as they’ll be given access to Android’s enormous user base. One billion people use Google Play each month, according to Google. At the same time, users-hoping to expand their-horizons should find it easier to discover podcasts-that interest them. No date has been announced yet for when Google Play Music users can expect to be able to take advantage of the addition of podcasts, but we’re told that more information will follow.



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