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Apple’s streaming music service could come next week

SAN FRANCISCO — Apple is getting ready to announce its answer to Spotify at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco next week, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Much like its competitor, Apple’s service will be priced US$10 (S$13.60) a month for unlimited streaming; however, it looks like there won’t be any ad-supported on-demand tier.

In this Nov 22, 2012 file photo, Byron Hall tests out Beats headphones at Super Target in Dallas. Apple acquired Beats Electronics for US$3 billion a year ago, and as part of the deal also got its hand on the company’s Beats Music subscription service. Photo: AP/Dallas Morning News

In this Nov 22, 2012 file photo, Byron Hall tests out Beats headphones at Super Target in Dallas. Apple acquired Beats Electronics for US$3 billion a year ago, and as part of the deal also got its hand on the company’s Beats Music subscription service. Photo: AP/Dallas Morning News

SAN FRANCISCO — Apple is getting ready to announce its answer to Spotify at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco next week, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Much like its competitor, Apple’s service will be priced US$10 (S$13.60) a month for unlimited streaming; however, it looks like there won’t be any ad-supported on-demand tier.

Instead, Apple is looking to attract users unwilling to pay for music with a revamped version of its iTunes Radio service, which reportedly will feature stations programmed by musicians like Q-Tip, Drake and Dr Dre. The Journal notes that Apple hasn’t finalised deals for its subscription service with the major record labels, so there is a chance that an announcement may be postponed until the ink on those deals is dry.

Apple long ignored music subscription services, instead focusing on its iTunes digital download store. But with digital download sales declining and services like Spotify gaining ground, the company is looking to change course. It acquired Beats Electronics for US$3 billion a year ago, and as part of the deal also got its hand on the company’s Beats Music subscription service. Beats Music is expected to be rolled into Apple’s own service when it launches. VARIETY.COM

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