Apple to reveal Beats-powered streaming music app in June


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Apple is set to unveil its Beats streaming music service in June - but consumers may have to wait to use it, it has been claimed.

The firm is expected to show off the Spotify killer at its annual developer conference in San Francisco.

However, it is believed delays with signing up record labels could cause it's public launch to be delayed. 

Sources told 9to5Mac that the Californian firm's service will be integrated into music libraries and users will be able to search, stream and add songs to their iTunes account. It is thought the service will borrow features from the Beats Music app (pictured), such as Mixes and Playlists, but will be a standalone product

Sources told 9to5Mac that the Californian firm's service will be integrated into music libraries and users will be able to search, stream and add songs to their iTunes account. It is thought the service will borrow features from the Beats Music app (pictured), such as Mixes and Playlists, but will be a standalone product

According to Billboard, industry sources say Apple does not have the necessary licensing deals a month before the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference that will take place from June 8th to 12th.

'June won't be the release date,' it said an insider said.

'The deals aren't done.'

However, one source told the site Apple has been able to quickly secure licensing deals in the past.

'If any company can pull it off, they can,' the source tells Billboard, adding that 'labels are more likely to play ball with them' because of Apple's track record of generating revenue for rights holders.'

Rumours about an Apple streaming service have been around for years, but they ramped up last year when the firm bought Dr Dre's Beats brand. 

Sources then told 9to5Mac that Apple is planning to integrate a Beats-powered service into its iOS software and could unveil the changes at this year's World Wide Developer's Conference in June.

The claims were made by multiple, but unnamed, sources from 'within Apple and the music industry'.

They said Apple will integrate Beats technology into iOS, iTunes and Apple TV using a modified version of the firm's current Music app.

It is thought the service will borrow features from the Beats Music app, such as Mixes and Playlists, but will be a standalone product.

Reports continued that the service will link with a user's music library and people will be able to search for songs in the iTunes and Beats catalogue.

Apple bought the Beats brand from Dr Dre last year. Reports said its streaming service will include songs from the iTunes and Beats catalogue. There are even rumours Apple will add social networking features in which people can follow artists, for example

Apple bought the Beats brand from Dr Dre last year. Reports said its streaming service will include songs from the iTunes and Beats catalogue. There are even rumours Apple will add social networking features in which people can follow artists, for example

APPLE STREAMING APP RUMOURS 

Rumours about a streaming service surfaced in 2013 when Apple held talks with Dr Dre.

Reports of a bundled subscription service then originated in November.

At that time, sources said the streaming service would launch as early as March, but this is now said to have been delayed. 

Apple has previously announced updates to its music range, such as iTunes Radio in 2013, at its annual developer's conference and it may instead unveil the streaming service at this year's event, likely to take place in June.

Sources told 9to5Mac that Apple's service will be integrated into music libraries and users will be able to search, stream and add songs to their iTunes account.

It will include a number of Beats Music's current features such as Mixes and Playlists and prices are expected to start at $7.99 a month - making it cheaper than Spotify and Rdio's $9.99 monthly subscription fee. 

From there, they will be able to stream or buy a song, which will be added to their iTunes account either stored on their phones, or kept in the cloud.

There are even rumours Apple will add social networking features in which people can follow artists, for example.

Beats Music costs $9.99 a month, which puts it on par with the likes of Spotify and Rdio, but an Apple service could undercut this price.

9to5Mac said Apple had initially discussed charging $5, but it's more likely to charge $7.99 per month.

Elsewhere, a version of the service could also be made available for Android phones. 

Beats Music is already available on Android devices.

Reports of a bundled subscription service originated in the Financial Times in November. 

At that time, sources said the streaming service would launch as early as March, but this is now said to have been delayed. 

Apple has previously announced updates to its music range, such as iTunes Radio in 2013, at its annual developer's conference and it may instead unveil the streaming service at this year's event, likely to take place in June.

Beats Music costs $9.99 a month, which puts it on par with the likes of Spotify (pictured) and Rdio, but an Apple service is expected undercut this price. 9to5Mac said Apple had initially discussed charging $5 a month, but the streaming service is more likely to cost $7.99 per month

Beats Music costs $9.99 a month, which puts it on par with the likes of Spotify (pictured) and Rdio, but an Apple service is expected undercut this price. 9to5Mac said Apple had initially discussed charging $5 a month, but the streaming service is more likely to cost $7.99 per month

 



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