Ever since Apple acquired Beats Electronics in mid-2014, people have been trying to figure out just what Apple will do with Beats Music. Today a new report claims to have details on the Cupertino firm’s plans.
Sources speaking to 9to5Mac claim that Apple is planning to launch a totally new music streaming service that’ll take advantage of Beats Music’s features and music catalog. The service is expected to be deeply integrated into iOS, iTunes, and the Apple TV, and a new Beats-ified version of the iOS Music app is reportedly in the works for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. It’s said that Apple is also developing an Android app for its service.
This new music service’s user interface will reportedly drop the black theme currently used by Beats Music and adopt the theme used by iTunes and Apple current Music app. It’s said that users will be able to merge Beats Music accounts with their Apple ID, along with their existing Beats Music libraries.
Apple’s new service is rumored to let users search for music in the iTunes and Beats catalogs, stream tunes, and add songs to their libraries and store them on their iOS hardware and computers. Apple is also reportedly planning to update Beats Music’s social features to allow you to follow other users and musicians.
When it comes to pricing, it’s said that Apple is working to make its service cheaper than Spotify and Rdio, possibly planning a $7.99 per month price tag.
While Spotify recently touted that it’s got 15 million paid subscribers, premium music streaming subscriptions aren’t quite taking the world by storm yet, with a lot of folks opting for free, ad-supported options. With factors like Apple’s backing, a cheaper monthly price, and deep integration with iOS and iTunes, it’ll be interesting to see if Apple can convince non-paying streamers to pony up and existing premium streamers to switch to its service.
Apple’s streaming music service may launch in June at the Worldwide Developer Conference. With a $7.99 monthly price, Apple backing, and an Android app, would you sign up for this service?