Apple Music is set to launch: The 13 facts you should know

iTunes was once a power player in the digital music scene. But in the past few years, it lost a bit of its luster, especially when compared to some of the newer music-player platforms like Spotify and Pandora. Not even the introduction of services helped; all projects ultimately fell flat (remember Ping?). But now, Apple is finally looking to enter the competition again with the release of Apple Music — a new music streaming service. ­So what differentiates it from the rest of the music streaming platforms out there? The app promises to give fans all the best ways to enjoy music, all in one place. Its an all-in-one streaming service, download store, direct-to-fan artist social channel and music discovery platform bundled with a 24-hour global radio station, Beats 1. Apple Music is really going to move the needle for fans and artists, said Jimmy Iovine. Last night, Apple unveiled Apple Music at WWDC in San Francisco. The app promises to give fans “all the best ways to enjoy music, all in one place”. How? It’s an all-in-one streaming service, download store, direct-to-fan artist social channel and music discovery platform… bundled with a 24-hour global radio station, Beats 1. Ambitious. “Apple Music is really going to move the needle for fans and artists,” said Jimmy Iovine. “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.” 1. Apple Music will launch on June 30 in over 100 countries; 2. It will be available on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac and PC on this date. 3. Big deal: later in the year, it will come to Apple TV and Android phones – although Android users won’t be able to listen to free Beats 1 radio; 4. Apple checklist: Yes, that means what you think it means: iOS users will be able to listen to free Beats 1. So despite all that bluster, Apple has dipped its toe into the wonders of freemium; 5. Presumably, it’s fully-licensed. Apple Music will come with 30 million tracks available on day one; 6. Apple has secured a three-month free trial period for consumers, which ends September 30; 7. Users will be asked to pay US $9.99 per month for an individual account or $14.99 for a family discount for up to six people. The latter is particularly interesting – if three family members take advantage, it’s the equivalent of just under $5 a month; if all six sign-up, it works out to just under $2.50 each per month; 8. How much will that equate to in the UK and elsewhere? We don’t know yet – Apple says ‘local pricing will be available closer to launch’. MBW contacted Apple overnight and that’s all it’s confirming… for now; 9. Apple is playing the human card: it says its playlists will be put together by ‘the most talented music experts from around the world, dedicated to creating the perfect playlists based on your preferences'; 10. A [...]

The post Apple Music is set to launch: The 13 facts you should know appeared first on Merriam Music - Toronto's Top Piano Store & Music School.