AFP
Mon Jun 08 2015
Apple is expected to unveil a ramped up music service Monday that builds on the iPhone maker's strengths
Apple is expected to unveil a ramped up music service Monday that builds on the iPhone maker's strengths in a challenge to Spotify, Pandora and other established players.
In the biggest overhaul of iTunes since it was launched in early 2003, the service was set to include an option of subscribing to streaming music for $10 monthly.
Analysts and industry insiders say arebranded"Apple Music" will be introduced on Monday during a keynote presentation kicking off the company's weeklongWordwideDevelopers Conference in San Francisco.
Sony Music Entertainment chief executive Doug Morris confirmed during anon-stageinterview at Midem in Cannes that Apple was indeed poised to unveil "Apple Music" streaming service.
"Apple Music will be an Apple streaming company," Morris said during an interview focused mostly on his rich career in the industry.
"I think it will make a big splash," he continued. "It will have a halo effect on the entire business...arising tide lifts all ships."
Apple has ample money for advertising a streaming music service, and some 800 million credit cards already linked to iTunes accounts.
The popularity of iTunes and Apple devices means that a broad audience could be provided an easy way to simply switch on the new music service.
"I absolutely think we will see a streaming music service," Gartner analyst Van Baker told AFP.
"Apple is late to the game on this, but it may not matter."
Morris reasoned that a boom in subscription streaming will pump cash into a music industry that has shrunk to $15 billion annually from $30 billion a decade ago.
"What is interesting about all the streaming services controlled by the tech companies is that they don't work without music," Morris told the audience at the trade event.
"So, we are really in a great position."
While iTunes transformed the way music was distributed and sold, italso putApple in a position to build extensive relationships with labels and artists.
Apple Music will likely have benefited fromtalentand technology acquired when Apple bought Beats Electronics and its streaming music service in a $3 billion deal in May last year.
An Apple streaming music service would grab headlines at an annual gathering at which the California-based company courts creators of fun, hip or functional apps that help drive the popularity of Internet-linked mobile devices.
Time for smartwatchapps
Apple will likely be keen to fuel enthusiasm for making apps to run on its freshly launched line ofsmartwatches.
"I think we will see a focus on doing new and unusual things on Apple Watch," said independent Silicon Valley analyst Rob Enderle.
Apple is likely to loosen the reins a bit on itssmartwatchto let developers create apps that work right on the wrist instead of on iPhones to which they are synched.
Enhancements were also expected to Apple Pay, which allows contactless payments with iPhones orsmartwatches. Improvements could include adding the ability to track rewards program information.
"What they announce will help determine if Apple Pay moves from the nice-to-have bucket to the must-havebucketfor both merchants and shoppers," said Forrester analyst Sucharita Mulpuru.
Forrester predicts US mobile payments will top $142 billion by 2019, up from $67 billion this year.
Siri smarts
Baker will be watching for Apple to improve Siri virtual assistant to better challenge Google Now and Microsoft's Cortana.
"I am hoping that is the case, because I think Siri is a distant third right now when it comes to virtual assistants," Baker said.
Apple may also show off improved privacy protection features in its software, in keeping with strong public comments made in recent weeks by chief executive Tim Cook.
And, true to thedevelopertheme of the gathering, Apple will dive deeply into features ofcoming generation softwarefor its computers and mobile devices.
Apple devices remain premier venues for developers to feature their creations, but Google-backed Android software has gainedground inthe battle fordevotionof app makers.
About 62 percent of developerteamssupport Android smartphones or tablets compared to 48 percent tuning applications to iPhones or iPads, according to research firm Forrester.
"Apple needs to maintain its momentum and thought leadership coming out of WWDC," Forrester analyst Frank Gillett said.
"Though Google isn't making that too hard yet -- due to Android fragmentation and low rates of adoption to the latest version."
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.