Google is planning to launch a music download store in 2010, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The search giant is expected to roll out a music download store, directly linked to its search engine later this year. The “interim step” would be followed by an online subscription service in 2011.

The new service would target Apple’s iTunes as its biggest rival, upping the stakes in the battle between the companies. The two technology giants have previously clashed over mobile platforms after Google launched Android to take on iPhone software.

Rumours about Google getting involved in the online music business have been going around for a while. Last year Google started linking to partner websites, such as iLike and Pandora through its search, allowing people to stream songs with only one click from the search results.

The current plans are still reported to be on the vague side, and it’s said to be unclear whether any deals have been struck with record labels so far.

Source: The Wall Street Journal