The leaks and rumors about the new YouTube Music Key service continue to emerge, shedding (a little) more light on Google’s new digital music distribution service. We still don’t have details on their licensing fees and other offers for artists signing up, but we do know more about their plans.

Here’s a roundup of the latest news and rumors. Of course, all of this is subject to change.

Will YouTube Music Key Shake Up Digital Music Distribution?

1 – What do they offer?

What’s going to make Music Key different from all the other services? Google claims to have added 20 million tracks, on top of those already on Google Play, comprising complete discographies of popular artists. That’s nothing new. They also claim they’ll have exclusive live performances, covers and remixes. Fan-made recordings may even be included.

Whether this material will be substantive enough to be worth an investment remains to be seen.

2 – What will it cost users?

Current plans are nearly identical to other steaming services: A 30-day free trial, and $9.99/month thereafter.

3 – What does this mean for Google Play?

At present, Google seems to be maintaining a baffling barrage of branded music services under both the YouTube and Google banners. However, early reports suggest that the $9.99 will buy access to all of Google’s music-related services, Google Play included.

Logic suggests that if these are all included in the $9.99, there will probably be a rebranding or service consolidation, but it has yet to happen.

4 – Will there be offline playback?

Yes, but we don’t know exactly how. Leaked screenshots clearly indicate there will be a way to download music on one’s device, but Google has not directly explained how the system will work.

New Digital Music Distribution Platforms Keep Appearing

Is YouTube Music Key going to be worth your time? Right now, its terms are reportedly unfavorable to indie artists. Whether the service itself will be worth the purchase remains to be seen, as it has some hurdles to overcome.

What do you think? Is Google over-reaching here?