Google Play Music streaming specs?, Anyone know the streaming specs for the Andoid app? Options

[zipr]

I use Google Play Music to stream on my Android phone when I'm in the car. It works pretty well most of the time, but in areas with a weak signal, it often drops out and stutters.

I know that when you upload music, Google transcodes AAC and FLAC into 320kbps mp3:
https://support.google.com/googleplay/bin/a...;answer=1100462

My first questions is: when it streams to the app, which format/bitrate are they streamed in? My guess would be mp3, but I can't find any confirmation of this.

A second question: if it is mp3, would streaming in a different codec that performs better at a lower bitrate result in a better experience (fewer dropouts)?

And a third: are there any other similar streaming services that do stream your library in a codec optimized for mobile?

(2nd and 3rd questions depend on the answer to the first, of course.)