Google Play Music All Access rumoured to launch in Canada by the end of August

A single rumour is suspect; a second is intriguing; a deluge is undeniable.

This is the case with Google Play Music All Access, which is expected to launch in Canada by the end of the month. The on-demand-slash-custom-radio service launched at Google I/O in May, but was limited to the US. It has since launched in a select number of countries like the UK and Australia, but Canadians still don’t have access to the $9.99/month offering.

This is set to change, as we’ve been told Google has just finished negotiations with Sony Music Canada, the remaining holdover preventing a Canadian launch.

Prices are expected to remain at $9.99 per month, as Google intends to directly compete with Rdio and Slacker Radio. Apple is also rumoured to be launching its iTunes Radio service in Canada later this year, but chose not to comment about speculation.

All Access augments Google’s existing Play Music locker service, which lets users upload up to 20,000 of their own songs to the cloud and play them back on their Android phones or tablets. All Access provides access to millions of songs and albums, on demand, along with curated playlists and artist-based radio stations. Rdio recently launched its own radio station feature called You FM.

We’ve also heard that Google will begin selling Play Store gift cards in retail stores. Specifically, Shoppers Drug Mart and Target stores throughout Canada will begin selling them in various increments. No word on whether the launches will coincide, or if they’re related, but we’d bet Google wants some of that back-to-school and Christmas shopping revenue.

For now consider these a rumour, but we’re hoping it’s finally true.

(Thanks tipsters!)