Apple has completed work on an online music storage service and is set to launch it ahead of Google, “whose own music efforts have stalled,” reports “Reuters” (http://macte.ch/TDvRe), quoting “several people familiar with both companies’ plans.”

Apple’s plans will allow iTunes customers to store their songs on a remote server, and then access them from wherever they have an Internet connection, the article says. However, “Reuters” adds that Apple hasn’t yet signed any new licenses for the service.

Major music labels are purportedly hoping to secure deals before the service is launched. “Reuters” says Apple hasn’t told its music partners of when it intends to introduce its music locker.