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Syriel · Nov 22, 2014

We've had various threads about the different Google Play freebies as they come and go, so I figured it might be a good idea to collect it all in a single location. This way there is always one easy place to find the current list of goodies. Hope this is useful.

What is Google Play?

Google Play is Google's all-in-one Android store. It has apps, books, comics, music, movies, TV shows, etc.

So you can get free stuff there?

Yes, Google Play has a lot of freebies, especially on the app side (if you're into F2P or ad supported apps and games). But Google also provides free music on a regular basis, free TV shows during premiere season and the occasional free movie. And that's what this thread is all about.

So this isn't the Music subscription service then?

Nope. The Music subscription service is Google Play Music All Access and it costs $9.99/month.

There is a thread on that here:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=558024

Can't I get a lot of this stuff on Amazon/iTunes/Xbox Video?

The free music is typically exclusive to Play Music. There is usually some crossover with the free TV shows.

So are these trials/rentals?

Nope. This is download to own. Google uses some of its advertising budget to purchase songs and/or albums (usually on a weekly basis) and provides them for free. Much like PSN and XBLA digital items, once you have them attached to your Google account they are yours forever.

WTF? Why is Google asking me for a credit card? Is this going to cost me?

Most of the Play Music freebies are only licensed for the United States (and sometimes Canada). Google requires that you have some way to identify your region of residence on file. Linking a credit card to your Google Play account is one way to do this. If you are viewing the Play Store on your phone, you can also use the option to pay with your phone account.

Neither option will cost you money so long as you stick to free items and you only have to do it once. However, it is required if you want to snag the freebies.

So what kind of music can I get?

Selections change on a weekly basis. There is a small selection of default singles which are always available and are promoted to new users. There are free songs from new artists and samplers either from labels or assembled by theme.

There is usually a free song of the week or a free album of the week as well.

Past freebies have included:
CHVRCHES
Kanye West
Ariana Grande
Hunter Hayes
etc.

There is no fixed genre that Google likes to pull from.

So how do I listen to these songs?

You can either stream them or download them on your PC or Android device.

If you choose to download on your PC, your best bet is to use Google Music Manager to download everything at once. If you download individual tracks, there is a download limit. This limit does not apply if you do the bulk download.

If you choose to download on an Android device there is no download limit.

Seriously tho, I want to listen on my stereo.

1) Your best option is a Chromecast.

2) Your second best option is a Bluetooth receiver.

3) Failing that, a mini-jack to stereo RCA cable will work. If you use the cable, set the volume on your Android device to maximum and then control the volume via your stereo receiver.

So, now that I've got these freebies, I'm getting used to Play Music. How do I get my own songs in there?

1) Download Google Music Manager.
2) Point it to your music collection on your hard drive.
3) Up to 20,000 songs will be automatically uploaded (and stored) on your Google account completely free of charge.

You can now access all of those songs as part of your library.

How do I watch the movies on my TV?

1) Your best option is a Chromecast.

2) Your second best option is the Google Play Movies app on a Roku.

3) Your third best option (mostly because the sorting sucks) is to use the YouTube app on the device of your choice (PS3, PS4, SmartTV, Xbox One, Xbox 360, etc.). Start the app and then go to your purchased videos.

What are the current freebies?

Comic Books:

DC has a selection of "Essentials" available for free right here:
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=DC+Comics+Essentials&c=books&price=1

Music (full albums):

Anderson East - Delilah

Footloose (Music From the Motion Picture)

Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory

Now Hear This! - The Winners of the 13th Independent Music Awards

Movies:

Blank: A Vinylmation Love Story (Disney Short)

Bling

The Polar Bears (Animated Short by Ridley Scott)

Sintel (Animated Short from Blender)

TV:

All Free TV episodes:
https://play.google.com/store/recom...9mcmVlX2VwaXNvZGUQBxgE:S:ANO1ljK-wsU&c=movies

Hit the link for the full selection.

davepoobond · Nov 22, 2014

Great thread. Thanks for the work!

Orbis Tabula · Nov 22, 2014

Thanks. I'm gonna keep my eye on this thread.

Phoenix · Nov 22, 2014

Fascinating dedication to get all of this together. Thanks!

snacknuts · Nov 22, 2014

Subbed.

Also, if anyone is kicking themselves for getting the $7.99/mo introductory rate for Play Music All Access, you can sign up for YouTube Music Key at the same price, which gives you access to both services.

https://www.youtube.com/musickey

killertofu · Nov 22, 2014

snacknuts said:
Subbed.

Also, if anyone is kicking themselves for getting the $7.99/mo introductory rate for Play Music All Access, you can sign up for YouTube Music Key at the same price, which gives you access to both services.

https://www.youtube.com/musickey

I'm on a free 3 month sub for All Access...damn, I can probably cancel that and get on the 8$ a month sub right?

Ndless · Nov 22, 2014

killertofu said:
I'm on a free 3 month sub for All Access...damn, I can probably cancel that and get on the 8$ a month sub right?

Yes, however, it is my understanding that if you cancel your 90 day trial, you'll still get access to the service for the remainder time. I don't know how it works if you enroll in YouTube's trial on top of that. My guess is YouTube's offer overrides the previous one. But who cares, son. 8 bucks a month for unlimited music and videos? There's simply nothing better than All Access atm. Only thing it is missing, is for it to be included in T-Mobile's Music Unlimited plan.

MarkMclovin · Nov 22, 2014

Just found today that I could get Gravity for free. On both my Nexus 7 and 5. Euro account too.

Downloaded fine on both.

reKon · Nov 22, 2014

Subbed. Got most of these already, but this will be useful in the future

Zoned · Nov 22, 2014

Spotify for 5$ or music key + play music for 7.99$?

AlexMeloche · Nov 23, 2014

Subscribed, even though most of the stuff isn't free in Canada.

Aselith · Nov 23, 2014

Zoned said:
Spotify for 5$ or music key + play music for 7.99$?

I guess it depends on if music key and play music offer anything actual different from each other? And if those two combined offer anything different from Spotify? I'd imagine it's a Netflix/Amazon situation but idk.

Masquerader · Nov 23, 2014

Fuck you, Google! We in Europe use your shit every bit as much as people in America do.

DeadTrees · Nov 23, 2014

If you've been waiting for a chance to hear that "welcome to the new age" song another fifty thousand times (and the album), today is your lucky day.

davepoobond · Nov 23, 2014

DeadTrees said:
If you've been waiting for a chance to hear that "welcome to the new age" song another fifty thousand times (and the album), today is your lucky day.

YESSSSSSS

Good album

BronsonLee · Nov 23, 2014

DeadTrees said:
If you've been waiting for a chance to hear that "welcome to the new age" song another fifty thousand times (and the album), today is your lucky day.

ARROW FANS REJOICE

slit · Nov 23, 2014

Masquerader said:
Fuck you, Google! We in Europe use your shit every bit as much as people in America do.

That'll teach Europe to threaten Google with a company break up!

Bleepey · Nov 23, 2014

https://play.google.com/store/recom...fbWFpbmxpbmUQBxgC:S:ANO1ljKC0sc&c=music&hl=en

I don't know about everyone else but I see about 8 free songs here

Get Started on Google Play
Get Lucky
Get Lucky
Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers
Mr. Blue Sky
Mr. Blue Sky
Electric Light Orchestra FREE
Billie Jean (Single Version)
Billie Jean (Single Version)
Michael Jackson FREE
Ready or Not
Ready or Not
Fugees FREE
All My Life
All My Life
Foo Fighters FREE
I Wanna Be Adored (Remastered)
I Wanna Be Adored (Remastered)
The Stone Roses FREE
You've Got a Friend
You've Got a Friend
Carole King FREE
Goldie
Goldie
A$AP Rocky FREE
Changes (Radio Mix)
Changes (Radio Mix)
Faul & Wad Ad vs. Pnau FREE
Études, Op. 25: No. 1 in A-Flat Major
Études, Op. 25: No. 1 in A-Flat Major
Lang Lang FREE
Play Classical
Play Classical
Various Artists

Masquerader · Nov 23, 2014

slit said:
That'll teach Europe to threaten Google with a company break up!

Bleepey said:
https://play.google.com/store/recom...fbWFpbmxpbmUQBxgC:S:ANO1ljKC0sc&c=music&hl=en

I don't know about everyone else but I see about 8 free songs here

Get Started on Google Play
Get Lucky
Get Lucky
Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers
Mr. Blue Sky
Mr. Blue Sky
Electric Light Orchestra FREE
Billie Jean (Single Version)
Billie Jean (Single Version)
Michael Jackson FREE
Ready or Not
Ready or Not
Fugees FREE
All My Life
All My Life
Foo Fighters FREE
I Wanna Be Adored (Remastered)
I Wanna Be Adored (Remastered)
The Stone Roses FREE
You've Got a Friend
You've Got a Friend
Carole King FREE
Goldie
Goldie
A$AP Rocky FREE
Changes (Radio Mix)
Changes (Radio Mix)
Faul & Wad Ad vs. Pnau FREE
Études, Op. 25: No. 1 in A-Flat Major
Études, Op. 25: No. 1 in A-Flat Major
Lang Lang FREE
Play Classical
Play Classical
Various Artists

Hah! The joke's on you, Slit. The links that Bleepey provided work!

I don't know how, pfft.

Syriel · Nov 23, 2014

Masquerader said:
Hah! The joke's on you, Slit. The links that Bleepey provided work!

I don't know how, pfft.

Bleepey's link is most likely UK or Euro only as those tracks are not free in the US.

Actually, when I click on his link, I just get a blank page in return. Searching on the individual tracks shows normal price.

Though from the "Get Started on Google Play" line, I wonder if those are the default "always free" songs in the UK.

Asbel · Nov 23, 2014

Thanks. I see some books by HG Wells free too if you want to add books.

Masquerader · Nov 23, 2014

Syriel said:
Bleepey's link is most likely UK or Euro only as those tracks are not free in the US.

Actually, when I click on his link, I just get a blank page in return. Searching on the individual tracks shows normal price.

Though from the "Get Started on Google Play" line, I wonder if those are the default "always free" songs in the UK.

Ah, that'd explain it. Still, at least we get something free. :c

Asbel said:
Thanks. I see some books by HG Wells free too if you want to add books.

Gimme gimme gimme

Toa TAK · Nov 23, 2014

I love you OP. Subscribed.

Asbel · Nov 23, 2014

Masquerader said:
Ah, that'd explain it. Still, at least we get something free. :c

Gimme gimme gimme

HG Wells
https://play.google.com/store/info/name?id=03hnd

DUFFMCWALIN · Nov 23, 2014

Awesome thread thank you so much.

The Culture Vulture · Nov 23, 2014

Great idea for a thread. I've built a fairly good Google Play library from free songs but they are pretty quiet about some of the tracks they offer. Subbed.

Bo Knows GAF · Nov 23, 2014

I just fixed my chromecast after opening this thread, remembering just how useful and great it is. So thank you

Ovid · Nov 23, 2014

Bleepey said:
https://play.google.com/store/recom...fbWFpbmxpbmUQBxgC:S:ANO1ljKC0sc&c=music&hl=en

I don't know about everyone else but I see about 8 free songs here

Get Started on Google Play
Get Lucky
Get Lucky
Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers
Mr. Blue Sky
Mr. Blue Sky
Electric Light Orchestra FREE
Billie Jean (Single Version)
Billie Jean (Single Version)
Michael Jackson FREE
Ready or Not
Ready or Not
Fugees FREE
All My Life
All My Life
Foo Fighters FREE
I Wanna Be Adored (Remastered)
I Wanna Be Adored (Remastered)
The Stone Roses FREE
You've Got a Friend
You've Got a Friend
Carole King FREE
Goldie
Goldie
A$AP Rocky FREE
Changes (Radio Mix)
Changes (Radio Mix)
Faul & Wad Ad vs. Pnau FREE
Études, Op. 25: No. 1 in A-Flat Major
Études, Op. 25: No. 1 in A-Flat Major
Lang Lang FREE
Play Classical
Play Classical
Various Artists

This list says Carole King is free. None of her albums are free.

androvsky · Nov 23, 2014

Most public domain books should have a free version, but there will also sometimes be a paid version from a publisher. I forget when the cut-off is, but everything published before 1923 or so should be free.

Also, Sintel is about as free as a movie can get. You can download the original 3D assets and use them in your own production, as the movie was made to show off the Blender rendering software... which is also free and open source. You can also download the individual frames as 4k pngs at 16 bits per color, it makes for a hell of a display demo. Only problem is they were going for depressing art house short and overdid it.

Mariolee · Nov 23, 2014

So good. Been waiting for a compilation like this. Thanks OP.

snacknuts · Nov 26, 2014

Imagine Dragons - Night Visions is currently free.

X05 · Nov 26, 2014

Nice thread, subscribed.

Also, everyone should check for Gravity and not just N5 users just in case, as I got for free and I don't have one or any other Nexus device (I have a Galaxy S5).

Syriel · Nov 26, 2014

Added:

deadmau5 - > album title goes here < (added 11/26/14)

Removed:

Dance and EDM Greats:
https://play.google.com/store/music/collection/promotion_albums_2000a1c_dis_free_electronic?hl=en

Guardians Of The Galaxy (Awesome Mix Vol. 1)
https://play.google.com/store/music...axy_Awesome_Mi?id=Btmdbtfzel2mdiai5ewdjd5nqui

Lorde - Pure Heroine
https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Lorde_Pure_Heroine?id=Bt3wef6icrzkkw2n24nfq53yrwy

davepoobond · Nov 27, 2014

Syriel said:
Added:

deadmau5 - > album title goes here < (added 11/26/14)

sweet. nabbed it. thanks.

your URL for the deadmau5 album is in IMG tags, not URL tags btw

BlackNMild2k1 · Nov 27, 2014

I logged into the app, and they gave me a free Shaun The Sheep: The Big Chase movie as well.

Syriel · Nov 27, 2014

davepoobond said:
sweet. nabbed it. thanks.

your URL for the deadmau5 album is in IMG tags, not URL tags btw

It is actually an IMG tag inside of a URL tag.

Works perfectly on the PC. Seems to mess up on mobile GAF.

The entire image is the link. On desktop Chrome clicking the image opens a new window to the Google Play page.

BlackNMild2k1 said:
I logged into the app, and they gave me a free Shaun The Sheep: The Big Chase movie as well.

Yeah, that is the consolation prize. If you don't qualify for Gravity...you get that short.

xKilltheMx · Nov 27, 2014

Yay great thread

NYCmetsfan · Nov 28, 2014

awesome thread!

Syriel · Dec 3, 2014

Added:

Joshua Burnell - Music from The Hobbit

Now Hear This! - The Winners of the 13th Independent Music Awards

Antenna Sampler - Dec 2014:
https://play.google.com/store/music/collection/series_overview_antenna_20106b7_dis_antenna_dec14

Half of this Dave Matthews Band album is free (select the individual tracks):

Irving Plaza, New York, New York

The Culture Vulture · Dec 3, 2014

Not free but Dark Side Of The Moon is 99 cents.

Coppanuva · Dec 3, 2014

This is a good thread, got a free gravity copy. Been wanting to see that.

Syriel · Dec 3, 2014

Removed:

deadmau5 - > album title goes here <
https://play.google.com/store/music...itle_goes_here?id=B2eqaposzi3qrbpg3xgkakoygam

Laguna X · Dec 4, 2014

Anyone remember if we got good music deals during past holiday seasons? So far, it's been pretty lackluster from google and amazon.

Bleepey · Dec 5, 2014

Laguna X said:
Anyone remember if we got good music deals during past holiday seasons? So far, it's been pretty lackluster from google and amazon.

Uk google play has had some decent deals

Syriel · Dec 9, 2014

Added:

Eric Church - The Outsiders

Laguna X said:
Anyone remember if we got good music deals during past holiday seasons? So far, it's been pretty lackluster from google and amazon.

Have you missed the massive Xbox Music Giveaway?

It's up to something like ~175 free albums over the past few weeks.

X05 · Dec 9, 2014

Syriel said:
Have you missed the massive Xbox Music Giveaway?

It's up to something like ~175 free albums over the past few weeks.

Huh, I thought those were a set 100 until the end date... guess I have missed more than a few then.

davepoobond · Dec 9, 2014

X05 said:
Huh, I thought those were a set 100 until the end date... guess I have missed more than a few then.

They swapped some in and out. It came to around 200 if you got them when each group was available.

50 or maybe more are still available

Syriel · Dec 15, 2014

Added:

Linkin Park - The Hunting Party

zulux21 · Dec 15, 2014

Syriel said:
Added:

Linkin Park - The Hunting Party

thanks for adding this, as a LP fan it's nice to own this where I can easily get it on my tablet.

it's an alright CD, if you don't like LP (but don't hate them) I recommend giving it a check out at least... it won't take long to figure out that most of it doesn't sound like classic linkin park... a lot of it is a lot harder rock and more raw. (there are still some songs that are more like the more recent stuff)

my personal favorite song from the CD is rebellion, but that is because I want a new system of a down cd, and it's basically just a system song sung by LP

bigkrev · Dec 15, 2014

Syriel, you are a saint for keeping this thread updated

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