Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
Former Beats Execs Jimmy Iovine and Trent Reznor Leading Development of Apple's New Music Service
Rumors about a revamped Apple-branded Beats streaming music service have been circulating since September of last year, but as the launch of the service draws nearer, information on pricing and content has been leaking out.
In a detailed report on the upcoming service published today, The New York Times confirms some previously known information and adds new details on the roles Trent Reznor and Jimmy Iovine are playing in the development of the music service. The report also divulges some information on Apple's interest in exclusive album releases and the company's work on an iTunes Radio revamp.
Apple's upcoming streaming music service is said to take on many of the characteristics of the existing Beats Music service, with a focus on curated playlists and a "vivid visual appeal" that also fits into Apple's minimal design aesthetic. It's unlikely to retain the "Beats Music" moniker, and it is being tested as a part of an upcoming update to iOS, previously said to be iOS 8.4.
As previously rumored, while Apple hoped to price its new service at $7.99, undercutting the prices of competing services like Spotify and Rdio, it saw significant resistance from record companies. As a result, the service will likely be priced similarly to those other services, at $9.99 per month, but it will have no free tier.
Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor, who was the Chief Creative Officer at Beats before it was acquired by Apple, is "playing a major role" in the redesign of the music streaming app. Jimmy Iovine, Beats co-founder, is also said to be playing an important role furthering Apple's music ambitions.
Rumors have suggested that Apple's revamped music service will debut at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference, alongside a new streaming television service and a new Apple TV set-top box.
In a detailed report on the upcoming service published today, The New York Times confirms some previously known information and adds new details on the roles Trent Reznor and Jimmy Iovine are playing in the development of the music service. The report also divulges some information on Apple's interest in exclusive album releases and the company's work on an iTunes Radio revamp.
Apple's upcoming streaming music service is said to take on many of the characteristics of the existing Beats Music service, with a focus on curated playlists and a "vivid visual appeal" that also fits into Apple's minimal design aesthetic. It's unlikely to retain the "Beats Music" moniker, and it is being tested as a part of an upcoming update to iOS, previously said to be iOS 8.4.
As previously rumored, while Apple hoped to price its new service at $7.99, undercutting the prices of competing services like Spotify and Rdio, it saw significant resistance from record companies. As a result, the service will likely be priced similarly to those other services, at $9.99 per month, but it will have no free tier.
Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor, who was the Chief Creative Officer at Beats before it was acquired by Apple, is "playing a major role" in the redesign of the music streaming app. Jimmy Iovine, Beats co-founder, is also said to be playing an important role furthering Apple's music ambitions.
Mr. Iovine has set the tone of the transformation of Apple's music plans, according to music executives. Mr. Iovine, who reports to Eddy Cue, Apple's head of software and Internet services, has been leading aggressive talks to secure prominent album releases that will be exclusive to Apple, akin to what Beyoncé did when she released her self-titled album on iTunes in December 2013. One music executive involved in the negotiations described this part of the new iTunes as "Spotify with Jimmy juice."Along with a revamped music service, Apple is said to be planning to debut an enhanced version of iTunes Radio, which will be more tailored to listeners in regional markets and more like a traditional radio station. Recent hire Zane Lowe, a former BBC radio DJ has joined the iTunes Radio team as part of this effort.
Rumors have suggested that Apple's revamped music service will debut at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference, alongside a new streaming television service and a new Apple TV set-top box.
Tag: Apple Music Guide
[ 81 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
56 months ago
I've lost faith in the whole process.
I was certainly on board with buying digital versions of my digital music lo this past decade, but now i realize how locked in I am to the ecosystem. I don't "own" this stuff! I seem to rent space from Apple to keep it, and if I decide to leave, then, it's back to 2006 for me, i suppose.
Now it's streaming, so the music you like will never be your own, for the current generation. How do you get attached to stuff? Who, of this generation will be able to say "I used to listen to Led Zep III back in college!" when really the music they hear will now be transitory.
I understand Streaming is nice and convenient and all, but it's the fast food of music.
I was certainly on board with buying digital versions of my digital music lo this past decade, but now i realize how locked in I am to the ecosystem. I don't "own" this stuff! I seem to rent space from Apple to keep it, and if I decide to leave, then, it's back to 2006 for me, i suppose.
Now it's streaming, so the music you like will never be your own, for the current generation. How do you get attached to stuff? Who, of this generation will be able to say "I used to listen to Led Zep III back in college!" when really the music they hear will now be transitory.
I understand Streaming is nice and convenient and all, but it's the fast food of music.
56 months ago
how about a new version of iTunes as well... The current version is horrible.
56 months ago
Surely they're not planning on keeping iTunes Radio and Beats as separate services?
That's my question. As an iTunes Match customer, I was looking forward to using iTunes Radio, but it STILL has not come to Canada, and now likely won't. Instead, I'll need to pay $12 a month (CAD) for a streaming music-only service. No thanks.
All I have to say is that this Beats thing better be GOOD and UNIQUE rather than some also-ran streaming music service.
56 months ago
Yes, as an avid Trent Reznor/Nine Inch Nails fan, I too, look forward to his involvement.
56 months ago
Let's see what they come up with, and hopefully it's not just US.
And when was the last time it wasn't just the US? Being an Apple customer in Europe sucks when it comes down to services. No Apple Radio, no Beats Music, completely useless Apple TV...
I won't give up Spotify because it's great and has been with me for years without geographical discrimination, no matter what Apple come up with. And, of course, it's for free.
56 months ago
One music executive involved in the negotiations described this part of the new iTunes as "Spotify with Jimmy juice."
Ok, I'll keep Spotify and you can keep the "Jimmy juice."
[ Read All Comments ]
Plex today announced a few updates for its Apple TV and iOS apps, adding notable new features that are worth highlighting.
The Apple TV app now supports HDR video playback, and Plex Pass...
The newest version of Spotify for iOS, released yesterday, quietly added support for Apple's multitasking Slide Over and Split View feature on the iPad.
As noted on Reddit and highlighted by...
Apple today seeded the fourth beta of watchOS 6, the software that runs on the Apple Watch. The new beta comes two weeks after the third beta and more than a month after Apple first unveiled the new...
Apple today seeded fourth beta of an upcoming tvOS 13 update to developers, two weeks after seeding the third beta and more than a month after unveiling the tvOS 13 software at the Worldwide...
Belkin today announced the launch of three new wireless chargers in its BOOST lineup, all of which will be available from Apple's online store and select Apple retail locations.
All of the...
Square Panda today announced that its phonics learning system for kids will now be sold at select Apple Stores and on Apple.com.
The Bluetooth-enabled, multisensory playset uses iPad apps to...
Google Maps this week expanded real-time bikesharing information to 23 additional cities in 16 countries around the world.
In addition to New York City, the feature is now available in...
In celebration of World Emoji Day today, the Unicode Consortium has announced the launch of a redesigned website aimed at making it easier for anyone to submit a proposal for a new emoji.
For...
