- Title: APPLE-DEVELOPERS/WRAP Apple announces new streaming music service
- Date: 8th June 2015
- Summary: EDDIE CUE, APPLE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF INTERNET AND SOFTWARE, DEMONSTRATING APPLE MUSIC
- Embargoed: 23rd June 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA8BWXZLVLB9ZWX302QTC3M7MNV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Apple launched Apple Music on Monday (June 08), a $9.99-a-month streaming music service that may not differ dramatically from competitors but comes with Apple's deep music roots, global brand and hundreds of millions of iTunes customers.
Apple's push into the streaming business will likely alter the dynamics of how consumers listen to music as the music industry grapples with declines in downloaded songs and tries to figure out new ways to get people to pay for music.
"I think a lot of people have been waiting for Apple to really go up against Spotify and streaming music services, so for 14.99 a month, you'll be able to sign up six members of your family, ten dollars if you're an individual," says Mark Spoonauer, the editor-in-chief of Tom's Guide, a technology news and review website. "So on the surface, it sounds like ti's a really good deal. The one thing I'm missing versus Spotify as a heavy user is that when I'm on the plane, I can go in offline mode and keep on listening. It doesn't look like Apple rolled out that feature yet for this service so some people might be on the fence about that."
Offering few surprises to what had been expected, Apple Inc shares did not react strongly, closing down less than 1 percent at $127.80.
The unveiling of the service, the kick-off to the week-long Worldwide Developers Conference, also included the announcement of an upgraded operating system for Apple's watch that will let developers create speedier "native" apps that rely less on the iPhone. Apple said that "El Capitan" will be the name of the next version of OS X for its Macs.
It disclosed that the next version of the software that powers iPhones and iPads, called iOS 9, will come out this fall and detailed the continued expansion of Apple Pay, which will launch in the United Kingdom next month.
But the music service was the star of the show. Apple introduced it with clips and live appearances by stars like Drake and up-and-comer The Weeknd. Legendary music industry figure Jimmy Iovine, who came to the company as part of its acquisition of Beats, took the stage to unveil details of the new service.
Apple's music service will enable artists to share songs directly with fans, include a global 24/7 radio station named Beats 1 and stream music from the entire iTunes catalog. Apple Music follows similar streaming services from Spotify, which streams music from record labels and media companies, Pandora, a self-described personalized radio station and others.
Apple Music's $9.99-a-month price takes effect after a three-month free subscription period. The company is also offering what it calls a "family plan" for $14.99 a month for up to six family members.
The success of Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook's first new product, the Watch, will likely hinge on a compelling collection of apps. But early apps for the timepiece have been tied to the iPhone, placing limits on what developers could do.
The company also unveiled new details about its Apple Pay service, saying it was already supported by more than 2,500 banks and will surpass 1 million locations accepting it next month.
In a related move, Apple said it would rename Passbook, its app for credit and debit cards and boarding passes, to Wallet. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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