A new report from Re/code today about Apple’s upcoming music streaming platform reiterated much of what we already know about the service, which is expected to debut with iOS 8.4 at WWDC. iOS 8.4 is already in the hands of developers with a revamped Music app.
As was previously known, Re/code notes that the recent hire of BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe and other BBC DJs is a plan to help bolster iTunes Radio’s curated playlist feature by manually compiling track lists instead of allowing an algorithm to make the decisions. The site also notes that iTunes Radio will be available in additional countries, which we first reported earlier this week. A few other new details were also mentioned.
Re/code says that the new streaming service will feature a free trial that allows users to test it out before subscribing. Beats Music already has a similar feature, so it makes sense that this would carry over to the Beats-powered platform. However, there is no solid information about how long this trial will last. It could be as long as three months depending on the deals with the associated music labels.
The service will also reportedly allow content owners to make a selection of songs available for streaming even to users who don’t subscribe to the service. Don’t expect the latest music to be available for free, however, as it’s likely labels will want to keep that behind the subscription paywall to ensure they make as much money as possible from it.
Overall there aren’t a lot of groundbreaking new details here. Free trials and a selection of free (but likely not all that appealing) music seem like basic features for a streaming service like this. Apple is expected to show the service off at WWDC before launching it alongside iOS 8.4 in late June. Be sure to read our full profile from March of what to expect from Apple’s new streaming music service.
Also to be expected at WWDC alongside new music features: iOS 9, OS X 10.11, and a new Web TV cable-replacement platform for the new Apple TV set-top-box.
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Free access to crappy songs no one likes…..now thats how you attract people to give your service a try!
Seriously, the more I find out about this new service, the more I realize they have great ideas with bad implementation. So, they have a problem with services like youtube offering “free streaming” of songs through Music Videos? Well make part of the contract that if the song is single with a video meant to promote an album sale, offer it for free streaming on the service. Not only does it give you similar offerings to things like YouTube but it also helps keep the sale in house. Seriously, not “latest music” is the last thing both Apple and the Labels should want. They should WANT the latest singles for free as free advertising for new albums. Put Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off up for free to sell more copies of 1989.
That part was 9to5’s interpretation of how it will be implemented. It’s up to content owners to decide what music to put out, not Apple’s. Also…it hasn’t even been released yet, so everything is just speculation.
Absolutely! Not really saying it’s all Apple’s doing either. As I said it would be to Labels best interest as well.
Sounds like they are doing everything right so far. Free trial, some free options, and some user customization. I’m excited. With Trent Reznor doing some work behind this, I’m excited. I hope it’s great. I can’t stand Spotify’s UI, it makes no sense to me sometimes. I would love to see Apple’s design on a streaming music app. Probably closer to Rdio in looks.
I’m pretty sure it’s just going to look like the new music app with a main “for you” section added to it. Personally, love the new 8.4 music app, but I’m a bit biased.
How does it perform? Have you used it with iTunes Match? If so, is it more/less reliable than the current app?
Music is one of my main uses for my devices, and I also feel like it’s one of the weakest experiences on iOS currently. It’s better than the competition, but it’s also bad enough to leave me feeling annoyed and frustrated at least once a week due to little bugs and quirks (i.e., Skipping through songs quickly, pass over the one I want, go back to listen to the song I accidentally skipped, hear it for 20 seconds, then it randomly skips to the next song and refuses to play the rest until I quit the music app and reboot my phone)
I’m wondering if the new service will still work with Sonos as Beats currently does. I’ve got a lot invested in my Sonos system, so no Sonos support is a 100% deal breaker for me.
I’m so confused here. iTunes Radio will not be free ? Or is this going to sit along side iTunes Radio ?
Please keep The Sentence. Please.