Music Labels Hoping Apple Can Force Amazon and Google Into Cloud Licensing - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Music Labels Hoping Apple Can Force Amazon and Google Into Cloud Licensing

114207 itunes player 10 screenshot 500

With Amazon and now Google having rolled out cloud-based music hosting services without the consent of music labels, CNET reports that the labels are reportedly now looking for Apple to become the driving force to bring those companies back to the negotiating table for broader licensing deals.

Since neither company was either able or willing to obtain licenses from the four major labels, neither of them could deliver the same range of options that Apple will be able to offer with its upcoming cloud service, according to multiple music industry sources.

Exactly what those options are, the sources wouldn't say. Nonetheless, the hope in the music industry is that Apple's music service will make the competing offerings look shabby by comparison and force Amazon and Google to pay the licensing rates the labels are asking.

The major labels are reportedly hoping that Apple plans to unveil its licensed version of cloud-based music hosting at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) set for early next month, moving quickly to market with what many hope will be a superior offering before Amazon and Google's services can become entrenched.

Tag: CNET
Related Forum: Mac Apps

Popular Stories

homepod mini thumb feature

No, HomePod Mini 1 Won't Support Siri AI as CNET Reported

Wednesday October 14, 2026 9:36 am PDT by
Update – 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time: CNET has corrected its article and now says only the HomePod mini 2 will support Siri AI. Original article follows. Siri AI will apparently not be limited to the new HomePod mini 2, with support also coming to the first-generation HomePod mini in a software update later this year, according to a report today from CNET's Jeff Carlson. "The HomePod Mini 2...
iPhone Duo Display Cracking

Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue

Friday October 30, 2026 3:20 pm PDT by
In a memo shared with Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers this week, and later obtained by MacRumors, Apple provided technicians with guidance on how to diagnose and address the iPhone Duo's inner display cracking issue. If a customer reports the issue, Apple advised technicians to inspect the iPhone Duo and repair or replace it in accordance with their standard procedures....
Everything New Your iPhone Can Do on iOS 27

14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2

Friday October 30, 2026 12:42 pm PDT by
Apple released iOS 27.2 on October 26, bringing enhancements to Siri AI, adding Suggestions in Messages, and sneaking in a string of smaller additions across Photos, Podcasts, Games, Apple TV, and FaceTime. iOS 27.2 is available to download to your device now via Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update. Note that some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPhone models....

Top Rated Comments

miles01110 Avatar
202 months ago
I read the title of this article as, "Music Labels still struggling to remain relevant."
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
202 months ago
Glad that the music labels are finally siding with Apple. It will be better for iOS users in the long run.

Get out of your iOS box and realize is even worse for music fans in the long run. Amazon/Google/<insert cloud service company here> should NOT have to pay licensing fees to labels to store user owned music. The music labels need to adapt and not hold on to old paradigms. Can't wait for the day when they (music labels) are completely irrelevant.

I'm interested in the deal (terms and conditions) Apple signs with the labels, however.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
202 months ago
So empower Apple and loose even more control? So very short-sighted!

And 1 year later, they'll be giving Google and Amazon sweeter deals because Apple is too powerful.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
202 months ago
Get out of your iOS box and realize is even worse for music fans in the long run. Amazon/Google/<insert cloud service company here> should NOT have to pay licensing fees to labels to store user owned music. The music labels need to adapt and not hold on to old paradigms. Can't wait for the day when they (music labels) are completely irrelevant.

I'm interested in the deal (terms and conditions) Apple signs with the labels, however.

Agreed.

Good thing Amazon crunched those bastards.

If Apple licenses, then good. But they must be working on something else rather than giving ******** of storage to copy music and stream.

Apple had already done this long before Google and Amazon entered, through MobileMe playback.

I think, Apple is going to think different and act differently. ;)
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
202 months ago
Oh how the worm has turned!!

It seems like just yesterday that the labels looked to Amazon as the savior to break Apple's dominance.

Now they are RELYING on Apple's dominance to break Amazon!

I bet this makes Apple twitch with happiness.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
202 months ago
I read the title of this article as, "Music Labels still struggling to remain relevant."

Thats what I got out of it too.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple HomeView Could Double as a Security Camera
Apple HomeView Could Double as a Security Camera
1 hour ago
Apple Launching Five New Products This Friday
Apple Launching Five New Products This Friday
2 hours ago
Nearly Every M5 MacBook Air Now $200 Off on Amazon
Nearly Every M5 MacBook Air Now $200 Off on Amazon
18 hours ago
Apple's HomeView Ships With Six-Month-Old Software
Apple's HomeView Ships With Six-Month-Old Software
20 hours ago
Three New iPads Rumored to Launch in First Half of 2027
Three New iPads Rumored to Launch in First Half of 2027
20 hours ago
Apple Offers Steps to Fix Daylight Saving Time Bug on Apple Watch
Apple Offers Steps to Fix Daylight Saving Time Bug on Apple Watch
1 day ago
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Hits All-Time Low Price With Amazon's $99 Discount
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Hits All-Time Low Price With Amazon's $99 Discount
2 days ago
Reminder: Apple's Big Discount on Beats 360 Ear Cushions Ends Today
Reminder: Apple's Big Discount on Beats 360 Ear Cushions Ends Today
2 days ago
Here's a New Tour of Apple's HomeView Software
Here's a New Tour of Apple's HomeView Software
2 days ago
Apple Reveals New iPad Mini's Battery Capacity
Apple Reveals New iPad Mini's Battery Capacity
2 days ago
Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates
Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates
2 days ago
'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today
'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today
2 days ago
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Surge in China, Offsetting Decline in U.S. and Japan
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Surge in China, Offsetting Decline in U.S. and Japan
2 days ago
HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More
HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More
2 days ago
Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue
Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue
3 days ago
iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China
iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China
3 days ago
Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week
Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week
3 days ago
Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'
Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'
3 days ago
14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2
14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2
3 days ago
iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later
iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later
3 days ago
Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign
Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign
3 days ago
The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More
The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More
3 days ago
MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed
MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed
3 days ago
Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry
Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry
3 days ago
Halloween Weekend Brings Discounts on Apple Accessories and Pre-Orders
Halloween Weekend Brings Discounts on Apple Accessories and Pre-Orders
3 days ago
Apple Has Released More Than 25 New Products in the Past Two Months
Apple Has Released More Than 25 New Products in the Past Two Months
3 days ago
Local Code Launches as Free, Private AI Assistant Tool for Mac
Local Code Launches as Free, Private AI Assistant Tool for Mac
3 days ago
Apple Acquires Ascend.io
Apple Acquires Ascend.io
3 days ago
HomePod Mini 2 Launches Today: All the New Features
HomePod Mini 2 Launches Today: All the New Features
3 days ago
AirTag 2 4-Pack Drops to New Low Price of $69.99
AirTag 2 4-Pack Drops to New Low Price of $69.99
3 days ago