Apple is pushing forward the overhaul of its music service

Mar 26, 2015 12:53 GMT  ·  By

Last year, Apple purchased Beats for $3 / €2.3 billion, including Beats Audio hardware and Beats Music, the streaming radio service that was founded by rapper Dr.Dre and longtime music industry exec Jimmy Iovine.

Apple usually makes smaller purchases of startups and companies most people have never heard of, so buying Beats can be considered a big change on the route of the company.

Spotify will soon be faced with some though competition

Building upon the acquisition, a new report coming in from the New York Times reveals that Apple is building a streaming music service that is aimed to compete with Spotify. The application will reportedly come embedded into the next version of iOS.

We first heard about the project last year, but the new report comes to confirm that things continue to be on track, while also adding a few new tidbits of information on the matter.

One important aspect that needs to be pointed out is the fact that, albeit trying to get record labels to agree to a price cut so that the service only cost $8 / €7.29 a month for users (Spotify charges $10 / €9 a month), Apple had to discard the initiative due to the labels’ unwillingness to cooperate.

It seems that the failed negotiations can be attributed to Apple’s weakened position in music, a fact blamed on the growth of so many alternatives to iTunes for music fans.

Trent Reznor continues his work at Beats

Furthermore, we're told Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor will continue to play a major role in designing the service. Reznor was previously Beats’ chief creative officer, but he will also be in charge of development of the redesigned Beats Music app that could be released as part of iOS 8.4 (which is apparently code-named “Copper”).

Insider sources also revealed that the new app would be similar to the existing Beats Music streaming service, meaning it will offer curated playlists. Jimmy Iovine, who runs Beats alongside Dr. Dre, is reportedly pushing for big albums to be premiered exclusively through Apple. Which would constitute a major trump card for the Cupertino company.

Apple is also looking to revamp its iTunes Radio service, with a focus on local stations in an attempt to provide better matches for local tastes. Ex-BBC DJ Zane Lowe is helping with the advancement of this particular project.