It’s been the week of Apple rumours, and that didn’t change on Friday when Recode published a new report providing additional details on Apple’s upcoming music service.
Like several previous reports, Recode confirmed that Apple won’t offer a free streaming tier like competitors Spotify and Rdio. However, the publication did say that the service will still provide opportunities for people to listen music for free.
First, Apple will provide a free trial for those that would like to try the service before subscribing. Like the actual release date of the service, Recode says the length of the trial period is currently in flux. Apple is apparently pushing for a three month trial period, but it may have to settle for month long trials if music labels refuse to budge.
Secondly, like iTunes itself, users will be able to listen song samples without subscribing to the service. These will apparently be uploaded by users, which means that at least one part of Apple’s music service will look like Soundcloud.
Lastly, as we heard in the past, Apple is set to launch a reworked version of iTunes Radio. Former BBC Radio 1 host Zane Lowe was hired last spring to spearhead the effort, and he apparently brought with him some high quality on his way to Cupertino. The publication says the new iteration of iTunes Radio will abandon the Pandora-like approach it took before and instead resemble a more traditional radio station with Lowe at its voice. Recode speculates that the service will be localized for different territories, which is something we’ve heard from other reports as well.
As per previous reports, Apple is set to announce its new music service at next month’s Worldwide Developer Conference. We’ll know then all the ins and outs of the service.
[source]Recode[/source]
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