It’s official: Apple Music is happening
Tech giant Apple has officially announced it has developed a music streaming service, that is set to disrupt the industry currently dominated by big guns Spotify and Pandora.
"Apple Music is really going to move the needle for fans and artists," claims Jimmy Iovine, highly acclaimed music producer who has been employed by Apple. "Online music has become a complicated mess of apps, services and websites. Apple Music brings the best features together for an experience every music lover will appreciate.
"Apple Music is a revolutionary streaming music service, a pioneering worldwide live radio station from Apple broadcasting 24 hours a day and a great new way for music fans to connect with their favourite artists," Apple says in a statement.
Apple Music will be available on the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, PC.
Apple says the streaming service will become available on 30 June in over 100 countries. Users will be invited to a 3-month free membership, with local pricing becoming available closer to launch. At the end of the trial period, the membership will automatically renew and payment method will be charged on a monthly basis.
The service will become available on Apple TV and Android phones later in the year.
"We love music, and the new Apple Music service puts an incredible experience at every fan's fingertips," says Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of internet software and services.
"All the ways people love enjoying music come together in one app; a revolutionary streaming service, live worldwide radio and an exciting way for fans to connect with artists.
The details
Apple Music Apple Music is a streaming service and app that puts the entire Apple Music catalogue across users' devices. A users' current music catalogue, from iTunes or ripped from CDs, will sit alongside the Apple Music catalogue with over 30 million songs.
On top of its catalogue, Apple has hired what it calls are the 'most talented music experts from around the world' to create playlists for users, based on their preferences. This will be represented in a 'For You' section of Apple Music.
In addition to human curation, Apple's Siri will also assist Apple Music users. Users can ask Siri to: 'Play me the best songs from 1994,' 'Play the best FKA twigs song,' or 'What was the number one song in February 2011?'.
Apple Music Radio Beats 1, Apple's first ever live radio station, will be dedicated entirely to music and music culture, Apple says. Beats 1 will broadcast live to over 100 countries, 24 hours a day. The radio service will led by DJs Zane Lowe in Los Angeles, Ebro Darden in New York and Julie Adenuga in London. L
Listeners around the globe will hear the same programming at the same time, and the programme will offer exclusive interviews, guest hosts and music news.
Apple is also claiming it has 'redesigned radio' with human curation taking the lead. Apple Music Radio gives listeners stations created by 'some of the world's finest radio DJs'. The new stations range in genres from indie rock to classical and folk to funk, with each one curated.
Apple Music Connect Apple is offering a way for fans and artists to connect with each other through Apple Music. Through Connect, artists can share lyrics, backstage photos, videos or release their latest song directly to fans directly from their iPhone. Fans can comment on or like anything an artist has posted, and share it via Messages, Facebook, Twitter and email. Artists can then respond directly to the user.
