Another feather will be added to Apple Inc.'s cap as the Cupertino-based tech giant enters the music streaming service market with the launch of Apple Music and the Beats 1 radio station on Tuesday, June 30.
To be able to experience Apple Music, those with Apple devices should upgrade their operating systems to iOS 8.4, which is scheduled to roll out starting 8 a.m. PT/ 11 a.m. EST. Those who have successfully installed the iOS 8.4 update will be able to hear DJ Zane Lowe's set at the starting broadcast of Beats 1 at around 9 a.m. PT/ 12 p.m. EST.
Those who are interested in subscribing should also have the latest iTunes version installed in their devices.
Initially, Apple Music subscribers will be able to enjoy a three-month subscription for the music streaming services for free using their iPhones, iPads, iPods, Macs, and Windows PCs. But when the trial period expires, users need to pay $9.99 monthly to continue with their subscription. A family plan subscription is also offered to hook up to six family members for just $14.99 a month.
An Android version will be also released at a later date, which is estimated to be sometime this fall.
Apple Inc.'s move to join the music streaming service industry does not come as a surprise since there is an estimated 41 million people who are willing to pay for such services since 2014. The number was reported by a London-based music record industry trade group called IFPI, which handles over 1,300 record labels.
Other music streaming service providers include Spotify, Tidal, and Xbox Music from Microsoft, but they operate differently from Apple Music's Beat 1 since these are algorithm-based music stations which randomly choose the songs from different albums. Beat 1, on the other hand, is a livestream music station that operates round-the-clock from New York City, Los Angeles, and London with a dedicated team of renowned DJs.
Still, there will be an option for an algorithm-based music playlist on Apple Music based on the iTunes catalog of the user.
