Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
Apple Backs Down on $7.99 Price Point for New Music Service After Meeting Resistance From Record Labels
Amid all of the excitement over the 12-inch MacBook and new pricing details on the Apple Watch, Billboard has shared some new information on Apple's rumored music service.
Initial rumors suggested Apple was hoping to undercut competing services like Spotify on price, offering its upcoming music service for $7.99, but according to Billboard, music labels are said to be highly resistant to pricing under the industry standard of $9.99.
Due to labels' insistence on the $9.99 price point, Apple is said to have backed down from its aggressive $7.99 pricing goal, suggesting the service may cost subscribers $9.99 per month instead of $7.99 per month.
Limited details are available on Apple's new subscription music service, but it's said to be a complete rebranding of the company's existing Beats Music service. It is rumored to be directly integrated into iTunes and it will be platform agnostic -- available on iOS and on Android, through a dedicated Android app Apple is building.
Recent rumors have suggested that Apple will launch its revamped streaming music service in June, during the company's annual Worldwide Developers Conference.
Initial rumors suggested Apple was hoping to undercut competing services like Spotify on price, offering its upcoming music service for $7.99, but according to Billboard, music labels are said to be highly resistant to pricing under the industry standard of $9.99.
Due to labels' insistence on the $9.99 price point, Apple is said to have backed down from its aggressive $7.99 pricing goal, suggesting the service may cost subscribers $9.99 per month instead of $7.99 per month.
Negotiations for Apple's upcoming subscription service are evidence labels are standing firm on pricing. Industry sources say Apple has backed down from its effort to lower monthly pricing for its subscription service to $7.99 from $9.99. Apple would have to absorb the loss if it sets a price lower than the standard $9.99.Apple may not be able to offer a lower price point than competing services, but industry insiders that spoke to Billboard have suggested that Apple is talking to artists and labels about exclusives for key releases that will help it stand out from the competition.
Limited details are available on Apple's new subscription music service, but it's said to be a complete rebranding of the company's existing Beats Music service. It is rumored to be directly integrated into iTunes and it will be platform agnostic -- available on iOS and on Android, through a dedicated Android app Apple is building.
Recent rumors have suggested that Apple will launch its revamped streaming music service in June, during the company's annual Worldwide Developers Conference.
Tag: Apple Music Guide
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58 months ago
this whole exclusive to service xy BS is so stupid. no ones gonna pay for different services that do the same thing. itll just turn poeple to pirating once again. those labels never learn i swear
58 months ago
I'll probably on Spotify forever anyways, at least, until I have to stop paying the Student Price of 4.99 (or whatever it is)
Likewise, too bad the 7.99 price is the only reason I would consider switching.
58 months ago
I suppose Apple feels like giving their customers a good value on a music service after they screwed them over on a watch.:)
58 months ago
If Apple goes to the 'exclusives for key releases' style, it will hurt all the streaming music services, including Apple themselves. Spotify is forced to follow that same route and a little bit later the selection in music subscription services is too fragmented and has lost its major selling point.
58 months ago
Apple needs to subsidize the $2 price difference and when the others services are out of business then the labels will submit to the new $7.99 subscription pricing.
58 months ago
Since when is 9.99 pricing make for an industry standard and why doesn't Apple tell them to go pound sand.
$.99 a track was iTunes standard until they complained so evidently they don't like standards unless it's in their favor.
58 months ago
Apple needs to subsidize the $2 price difference and when the others services are out of business then the labels will submit to the new $7.99 subscription pricing.
Yes, because we should crush those greedy musicians into the dirt until they give us all the music for free. :rolleyes:
58 months ago
Apple needs to subsidize the $2 price difference and when the others services are out of business then the labels will submit to the new $7.99 subscription pricing.
Yeah I don't understand this, when Apple could just pay the difference and barely feel it.
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