Apple’s Music Streaming Service

[Jorge-Vieira]

Apple’s Music Streaming Service Launches Tomorrow At WWDC Says Sony Music CEO

In our coverage of the latest iPhone rumor yesterday, I mentioned that it's become harder than ever for Apple to keep a secret. With the upcoming iPhone, it was UK carrier Vodafone that gave us the leak, and for Apple's upcoming music service, it's none other than the CEO of Sony Music.
During an on-stage interview at the Midem Music Industry Festival in Cannes, France, Sony Music CEO Doug Morris revealed that Apple will be unveiling its music service during its WWDC event tomorrow. To Morris' benefit, the fact that Apple is set to reveal its music service at WWDC has been one of the industry's worst-kept secrets -- we reported on the possibility an entire month ago.
image: http://hothardware.com/ContentImages...ent/iTunes.jpg
We also reported on it last week, when it was hinted that Apple's music service would cost the same as Spotify, $9.99, but wouldn't include a free tier. Instead, a small collection of songs would be made available for free, because ultimately, Apple wants people to shell out that $10/month. It's not clear at this point if Apple's service will offer student discounts, but it's definitely possible, since many competing services do.
What's really going to be interesting about this streaming service is seeing just how it will affect iTunes, a store that actually sells the music directly to customers. If someone buys at least one album per month, that $9.99/mo subscription fee is going to look like a no-brainer -- it'll give them that album and a lot more, provided they continue to pay.

Noticia:
http://hothardware.com/news/apples-m...VCiuCSiZFUS.99

[Jorge-Vieira]

Sony Music CEO sees great benefit from Apple streaming music service

During its World Wide Developers Conference in San Francisco, Apple will announce its shiny new music streaming service. iTunes once was a music juggernaut for paid downloads, but consumers have migrated towards streaming music - and Apple wants to find a way to cash in.

image: http://imagescdn.tweaktown.com/news/...ng-service.jpg

Sony Music CEO Doug Morris thinks Apple's jump into the market will liven up streaming music:

"What does Apple bring to this? Well, they've got $178 billion dollars in the bank. And they have 800 million credit cards in iTunes. Spotify has never really advertised because it's never been profitable. My guess is that Apple will promote this like crazy and I think that will have a halo effect on the streaming business. A rising tide will lift all boats - it's the beginning of an amazing moment for our industry."

Earlier in the year, Warner Music CEO Stephen Cooper that streaming "will be the way that most people enjoy music" and could help "return the industry to sustainable, long-term growth."

Paid downloads cannot keep up with streaming music, and it has made the music industry uneasy. I like the idea that Warner Music's Cooper and Sony Music's Morris could hopefully find ways to utilize streaming music instead of limiting it.

Noticia:
http://www.tweaktown.com/news/45764/...ice/index.html

[Jorge-Vieira]

Not iOS 9 or OS X 10.11, Apple’s Music Streaming Service to Take the Center Today

In less than three hours, Apple would take the stage at annual Worldwide Developers Conference. As always the day has been looked forward to by tech enthusiasts and industry watchers alike. iOS 9 and OS X 10.11 are of course the primary and regular updates coming for mobiles and desktops. However, it won’t be any of these two taking the most limelight at Moscone Center today.

WWDC 2015 – expected highlight:

If various reports, speculations and signs are to be believed, it would be Apple’s Music streaming service that would take the main focus today. Remember, when we shared about Apple’s ambitious plans of launching its music service trying to put its competitors out of business ahead of launch? That was one strong sign of the streaming service launching this year.
However, yesterday Sony Music CEO Doug Morris confirmed at the Midem music industry conference that Apple would announce the music streaming service at the WWDC 2015.

“It’s happening tomorrow,” Morris said.

Morris’ statement comes as a confirmation of already available signs. Morris also shared his own thoughts about this upcoming music service claiming that will prove to be a “tipping point” that will return the industry to its former economic glory.





Talking about free services of Spotify and expected premium Apple’s music streaming service (costing $10 a month for ad-free service), he said, “Spotify has never really advertised because it’s still not profitable. I think that Apple will advertise and the result of this will have a halo effect on the entire streaming service.”
Apple is ready to take the stage at 1PM Eastern in San Francisco. While many users are looking forward to see what new iOS 9 and OS X features and improvements are going to be announced, Cupertino tech giant seems to have different plans for the day.
The company is highly expected to focus less on new features and more on bug-fixes and stability improvements for both its mobile and desktop operating systems. While not confirmed, Apple could talk about the multi-tasking possibilities hinting at an iPad Pro launch later this year. Apple Watch, Smart Home and other such features will take some of the stage time too. However, music streaming service is reported to get the major focus at Moscone Center WWDC 2015.
You can watch the event live from your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch running iOS 6 or later on the Safari browser. Event live streaming can also be watched over Mac with OS X 10.8.5 or later. Apple TV owners need to have second or third-gen Apple TV with 6.2 or later software.

Noticia:
http://wccftech.com/apple-music-stre...#ixzz3cULMupMC

[Jorge-Vieira]

Apple Wants To Hit A 100 Million Subscriber Mark For Apple Music

According to sources, Apple’s Music Streaming service will stage today at the WWDC 2015 event. According to The Associated Press, Apple has claimed that their Music Streaming application will be targeted for a 100 million subscriber mark. This is huge for the company and aiming for such a big number automatically down shows Spotify, Pandora and other giants of the category.


Apple’s Music’s competitors beholds 41 million US subscribers altogether in 2014 according to the International Federation of Phonographic Industry. By the start of this year, Spotify had 60 million subscribers out of which only 15 million were paid tiers and the rest relied on ad supported free offerings.
Apple’s Music Streaming To Go Multi Platform?

The Associated Press source also claims to have dropped other claims that are already surfacing the internet. Those claims include the subscription being free for three months on a trial base and a compulsory $10 per month after that. Hunch backs were made on iTunes Radio enhancements and revamped design and celebrity DJs like Zane Lowe, Drake, Pharrell Williams, Muse, David Guetta and more.



Apple acquired Beats for $3 Billion buyout clause after that the company will shut down due to subscriber migrations. Apple Music will be a revamped and improved version of the Beats Music Service. Beats Music Subscribers who were part of the plan previously will be shifted to Apple’s Music Service without a hassle and the Beats Music Service will then be closed.

Apple has advertisement plans for the Music Streaming Service and according to The New York Times, Apple will promote it as Apple Music through iTunes. Users who are familiar with iTunes purchases will be prompted another option to use their subscription instead. There is also room for Apple to launch its Music Streaming service to the Android and Windows platform. There might be less or no claims but it seems legit. To fulfill the 100 Million mark, Apple does need to put the Music App on multiple platforms.
Apple executives will take stage today at 10 AM PDT at the World Wide Developers Conference 2015. Several details will be released today about the forthcoming music service. Along with the Music Streaming App, Apple is also driven to announce the future of iOS and OS X along with Apple Pay and more. Total coverage will be provided to you by wccftech so do stay tuned. As for now, let us know in the comments what are your expectations of Apple Music?

Noticia:
http://wccftech.com/apple-hit-100-mi...#ixzz3cULdPyjq

[Jorge-Vieira]

Apple formally announces streaming music service

Even though we’ve known its intentions for months, with rumours that the whole reason the Beats headphone brand was purchased was to pick up its fledgling streaming business, Apple has finally, officially, launched Apple Music. The new service will offer a combination of music streaming, downloads and internet radio and is designed to compete head to head with industry giants like Spotify.
Apple previously revolutionised the music industry with its iTunes download platform in the early ’00s. Today however streaming is far more popular and digital downloads have been dropping off by huge margins in recent years. This slide is what Apple is hoping to halt with its new service, which will roll everything into one.
“Music is such an important part of our lives, and our culture,” said Apple chief executive Tim Cook (via the Telegraph). “Apple Music will change the way you experience music forever.”
Much like Jay-Z’s recent launch of the already floundering Tidal service, Apple used celebrities to get its new product off of the ground, with Drake and Pharrell both being present for its unveiling. Similarly so, Jimmy Iovine, who co-founded Beats and has had an undisclosed position at Apple since its acquisition, was present to talk up the new technology.

Along with its more traditional iTunes-like downloads and Spotify-like streaming, Apple’s new $10 a month service will re-introduce some of its acquired talent to the world, via digital radio stations. Ex-BBC DJ Zane Lowe will take the lead on Beats 1, which will be broadcast from New York, Los Angeles and London, with the help of Ebro Darden, who previously headed up WQHT Hot 97.
Considering how other radio services like Sirius XM are fairing, it’s an interesting choice, though presumably Apple hopes that with the introduction of its CarPlay infotainment system it can capture more of the drive time audiences.
Apple Music will launch for iOS users on 30th June.

Noticia:
http://www.kitguru.net/gaming/apps-s...music-service/

[Jorge-Vieira]

Spotify will match Apple Music’s family sharing option

Last night at the World Wide Developer Conference, Apple went ahead and officially announced its long expected music streaming service, known as Apple Music, bringing some pretty heavy competition to Spotify’s door. In an effort to stay competitive, Spotify has revealed that it will be matching one of Apple’s subscription pricing tiers.
Apple has two subscriptions on offer, $9.99 a month for one person, or $14.99 a month for a family of up to six people, which is pretty competitive considering that Spotify did not have a similarly priced option. Now Spotify will be matching this tier, the company’s global head of communications told The Verge.

Spotify does have an edge in some areas still, while many record labels aren’t happy with Spotify’s advertising model, plenty of customers are and don’t necessarily want a subscription, in-fact the bulk of Spotify’s users don’t subscribe at all. In addition, Apple Music won’t have an offline playlist mode, which is a pretty big selling point for Spotify.
All of that said though, Apple has far more money in the bank and if Apple Music does well, then it is possible that some artists and labels may begin to pull support away from Spotify entirely. It will be much harder for the service to compete with Apple if its library starts to shrink.

Noticia:
http://www.kitguru.net/apple/matthew...haring-option/

[Jorge-Vieira]

Apple Music Launches June 30 For $9.99/Month, Flaunts Global 24-7 Live Radio Station

Apple Music, as Apple puts it, is “One single app on your iPhone” that is the front-end for a “Revolutionary music service.” Apple Music will cost $9.99 per month for individuals, and will scale to $14.99 a month for a family plan that covers six individuals. And if you want to simply get your feet wet with the service, Apple will provide three months of the service for free.
Taking a look at Apple Music, it is composed of a few different parts. You of course will be able to stream over 30 million music tracks that are currently available from iTunes, which are enhanced with human-curated playlists. Apple Music will use the tracks you’re already purchased from the iTunes Music Store along with tracks you may have ripped from CDs to make better recommendations for your music streaming habits.

image: http://hothardware.com/ContentImages...all_beats1.jpg

“We love music, and the new Apple Music service puts an incredible experience at every fan’s fingertips,” said Eddy Cue, Apple SVP 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.”
You’ll also be able to task Siri to lend you a hand with song selection by saying, “Play me the best songs from 1996” or even “What was the number one song in January 1980?” and have the result played back for you.
What was previously called iTunes Radio has been transformed into “The first ever 24/7 worldwide live radio station.” The first station is called Beats 1 and will be broadcast live to over 100 countries. It is anchored by DJs Zane Lowe in Los Angeles, Ebro Darden in New York and Julie Adenuga in London, which Apple says brings a human touch to streaming services that have for the most part been a computer logic-driven affair. As Apple’s Jimmy Iovine says, “algorithms alone can’t do [an] emotional task.”
You actually won’t need a subscription to listen to Beats 1, which is the only “free” aspect of the service outside of the three-month free trial.
Apple is also touting more social aspects of its service with Connect, which allows any budding artist to upload post tracks, photos and other materials for fans to gawk over. Even unsigned artists can get in on the action to get their “sound” into the ears of Apple’s legions of iOS users.

image: http://hothardware.com/ContentImages..._pc_androd.jpg

Apple Music is also coming to Android and PC platforms

Apple Music interestingly will not just be an Apple-only affair. Besides launching for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV on June 30, it will also be available on the same date for the PC. And even more surprisingly, an Android app will be made available sometime this fall. My how the times have changed…
All in and all, Apple Music doesn’t really advance the ball when it comes to streaming services. It takes a lot of the already excellent functionality that’s already included in a lot of today’s excellent streaming services and adds it to one app, but it’s not truly groundbreaking in this writer’s opinion. Will Apple Music be successful in an already crowded streaming marketplace that’s filled with both paid and free solutions? That’s hard to say, but it does have a seemingly competent solution, and we’re eager to put that three-month trial to the test.

Noticia:
http://hothardware.com/news/apple-mu...miDbR9y4T6D.99

[Jorge-Vieira]

Apple Music under investigation for anti-trust practices

Apple Music is barely off of the ground and already it’s under investigation by the attorney generals of two separate US states, for potential anti-trust practices. Both New York and Connecticut are looking into Apple’s affairs, to see if it offered incentives or threatened music labels into supporting its new music consumption platform. The worry is that any sort of under-the-table deals could make the music streaming industry weighted in Apple’s favour, undermining the commercial efforts of competitors like Spotify and Tidal.
This comes just a few days after Apple launched the service, which is now available for users based on a $10 per month subscription. In response to the investigation, Universal issued a statement to the New York attorney general, stating that it had no specific deal with Apple and was free to continue making its music available on other platforms and services, whether they are ad-supported or subscription based.

While neither attorney general has released a statement on the investigation, a spokesperson did say that the reason for it was to make sure that the new developments in the music industry didn’t lead to a restriction in availability or competitiveness, which would hamper the new ways in which consumers are able to access and consume music and other media.
Universal’s statement has also been accepted by both offices, but it is just the first of many that are expected to be made in the coming weeks.
While there is no obvious evidence that Apple has been colluding with music labels, there is some historic precedent for it taking part in anti-trust activities. Back in 2013, a federal judge found Apple guilty of price fixing with book publishers in an attempt to raise the average price of digital books above $10, as per NYT.

Noticia:
http://www.kitguru.net/channel/jon-m...ust-practices/

[Dape_1904]

Começa bem lololol

[Jorge-Vieira]

Apple Music streams at 256kbps, lower than its competitors

Apple finally announced their Apple Music streaming service at WWDC earlier this week, and it comes with a number of impressive features, including global radio stations and human-curated playlists. But one feature that may not impress audiophiles is the streaming quality of the service: Apple Music streams songs at 256 kbps, the company has confirmed.
256 kbps is the same bitrate Apple uses for standard iTunes tracks, so it's not hugely surprising that the company will use 256 kbps for streaming as well. What hasn't been confirmed, however, is whether Apple will use AAC or MP3 streaming technology, which will have a negligible effect on music quality.
With Apple Music streaming at 256 kbps, its competitors will have a one-up on streaming quality. Spotify, Google Play Music, Rdio, Rhapsody, and even the Apple-owned Beats Music stream at up to 320 kbps. Xbox Music matches Apple Music at up to 256 kbps, while Tidal allows you to stream lossless FLAC audio.
Although 320 kbps is generally regarded as the industry standard bitrate for high-quality audio files, Apple Music's use of 256 kbps instead will allow users to conserve bandwidth while streaming. There will be a slight difference in quality between the two bitrates, but 256 kbps streams will use 20% less data, which could be handy for those on low data caps.
Apple Music launches on June 30 for $9.99 per month (or for $14.99 per month as a family account) after a three-month free trial.

Noticia:
http://www.techspot.com/news/60941-a...mpetitors.html

[Jorge-Vieira]

Spotify not concerned about Apple Music

Showing just the right measure of confidence and indifference, Spotify has stated that it isn’t concerned about the recently unveiled Apple Music, which perhaps offers the most legitimate threat to the streaming provider. It’s not because it thinks the new service won’t be successful though, but because in reality it doesn’t feel the need to be the most used service. It just needs to be a used serviced.
“To me it is enough to be among the top three,” said Spotify CEO Daniel Ek in a chat with Swedish business (via Reuters). “But right now we have an advantage of being the number one in music,” he added, perhaps happy to point that out for now, despite his claims.

Ek previously tweeted about his sentiment towards Apple’s new service when it was announced, simply saying, “oh, ok,” before deleting the message.
As it stands Spotify has some 20 million subscribers, and over 75 million active users, which represents enormous growth year on year. While Apple has a large audience to tap into with its smartphone and tablet users, it will be interesting to see how quickly it can populate its new music service and whether it can convert enough of the already existing streaming users to impact Spotify’s numbers.

Noticia:
http://www.kitguru.net/gaming/jon-ma...t-apple-music/

[Jorge-Vieira]

UMG denies collusion with Apple in antitrust investigation

Ahead of Apple’s official announcement for its new music streaming service, it was reported that the company was already at work trying to pressure labels in to withdrawing support for Spotify and its advert based business model. As a result, the European Commission and the FTC both began probing the deals involved in Apple Music.
Now, Universal Music Group is denying that it colluded with Apple, according to a letter sent to the New York Attorney General’s office. This is the first time a label has spoke out on the investigation surrounding Apple Music.

In the letter, which was obtained by The Verge, Universal denies that it has any deals with Sony Music Group, Warner Music Group or Apple to “impede the availability of third-party free or ad-supported music streaming services”. Although the letter does note that future changes to music business models are bound to occur.
The investigation is set to go on though, with UMG supposedly being happy to provide attorneys with any information they need as they work the case. Either way, there is likely more news to come on this front as it isn’t just the FTC investigating Apple Music but the European Commission as well.

Noticia:
http://www.kitguru.net/apple/matthew...investigation/

[Jorge-Vieira]

Taylor Swift's '1989' album won't be available on Apple Music

Taylor Swift previously pulled the majority of her music from Spotify, the No. 1 streaming music service, and doesn't have any interest in Apple Music. Her record label, Big Machine, has confirmed that the "1989" music album won't be available on Apple's music service, which launches on June 30.

image: http://imagescdn.tweaktown.com/news/...pple-music.jpg

Swift, of course, has issued a statement saying this decision is thinking of the rising musicians and songwriters. It seems Swift is most distraught over the three-month free trial that Apple will provide music listeners before the mandatory $9.99 monthly service kicks in:

"This is about the new artist or band that has just released their first single and will not be paid for its success. This is about the young songwriter who just got his or her first cut and thought that the royalties from that would get them out of debt. This is about the producer who works tirelessly to innovate and create, just like the innovators and creators at Apple are pioneering in their field... but will not get paid for a quarter of a year's worth of plays on his or her songs."

Music listeners are transitioning from paid downloads to streaming music, and it's a trend that won't suddenly stop. Apple has a close relationship with the music industry, but trying to win over musicians and record labels is still proving to be difficult.

Noticia:
http://www.tweaktown.com/news/46021/...sic/index.html

[Jorge-Vieira]

Apple Music to pay artists for free trial streams after all

Although there has been a lot of hype surrounding Apple Music, the fruity firm’s upcoming music streaming and download platform, it had a shot of bad press over the weekend when Taylor Swift announced she was pulling her album from its launch. Her reasoning, was that Apple did not plan to pay artists for content streamed during a three month free trial period that was being offered for new subscribers. In response, Apple quickly did an about face and announced that it would in-fact make sure to pay any artist streamed, whether during a free trial or not.
Swift’s initial statement was posted on her blog, titled: “To Apple, Love Taylor,” where she explained her respect for Apple, describing it as a “progressive and generous company.” However, she said that she would pull her album in the hope that it would be enough of a statement to make Apple change and therefore help all artists by letting them be paid for their work.

“But I say to Apple with all due respect, it’s not too late to change this policy and change the minds of those in the music industry who will be deeply and gravely affected by this. We don’t ask you for free iPhones. Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation,” she said.
Apple’s response was fast, with the company’s senior VR of internet software and services, Eddy Cue, posting on Twitter:


Eddy Cue ✔ @cue #AppleMusic will pay artist for streaming, even during customer’s free trial period
4:29 AM - 22 Jun 2015





Swift later tweeted her excitement at the change being made, though has yet to announce whether he album, 1989, will in-fact feature when Apple Music launches in just over a week’s time. As the BBC points out, this is the second time Swift has pulled her album from a streaming service. She famously did so with Spotify last year, announcing that she thought streaming cut into downloads too much.

Noticia:
http://www.kitguru.net/gaming/apps-s...ams-after-all/

[Jorge-Vieira]

Smashing Pumpkins singer Billy Corgan discusses Apple Music drama

Smashing Pumpkins singer Billy Corgan discusses Apple Music drama

Noticia:
http://www.tweaktown.com/news/46083/...ama/index.html