Apple Music

[GA Russell]

I've read a few articles about Apple's announcement today of its new streaming service, Apple Music.

I don't understand the sales pitch. Why does Cook think that I will choose Apple Music over its competitors?

Anybody know?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/11661129/Apple-launches-star-studded-streaming-service-Apple-Music.html#disqus_thread

http://www.wsj.com/articles/apple-shows-off-new-operating-software-music-1433784272

[jcam_44]

I'll give it a go. If you can stream anything in the iTunes store, I feel like the variety will be better.

[Shawn]

I will happily use it for the free trial duration of 90 days and then I'll go back to using the free version of Spotify like I have been for the past 4 years. Almost forgot, I also have Prime Music from Amazon which comes with my Prime subscription. So I've got the free & paid streaming models already.

Edited June 9, 2015 by Shawn

[A Lark Ascending]

Don't know if this article overlaps with those above but it suggests Apple are not just targetting other streaming services but radio itself:

http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jun/09/what-does-the-apple-music-launch-mean-for-music-fans

[GA Russell]

One of the comments to the articles of the OP links suggests that Apple will prohibit users of iPhones, etc., from using the services of Apple's competitors.

[Scott Dolan]

Am I the only person left who doesn't use any streaming service? Surely not.

[BFrank]

I'm afraid you ARE the only person left, Dolan!

[Scott Dolan]

Damn it!!!!

[jcam_44]

i used spotify yesterday because I forgot my ipod at home. But I would guess my total listening time in a given month is 3 hrs max. Part of my issue with Spotify and browsing Tidal is a lack of albums I want to hear. For instance, VInny Golia only has about half a dozen albums on spotify and none of the nine winds catalog is there. The itunes store though has a greater selection of what I like, but I still don't think I will keep it after the 3 months free trial.

[BFrank]

Damn it!!!!

Sor-reeeeeeeee!!

[David Ayers]

Have Apple said that all current itunes content will be available on Apple Music? I somehow doubt it but some commentators seems to be assuming it will. Do they know something I don't?

[sonnymax]

One of the comments to the articles of the OP links suggests that Apple will prohibit users of iPhones, etc., from using the services of Apple's competitors.

Not sure why you'd place any credence in this or any of the many absurd comments that were posted. Although it's customary to trash so-called Apple fanboys, you'll never see more rabid, myopic opinions than those expressed by the iHaters.

[sonnymax]

Have Apple said that all current itunes content will be available on Apple Music? I somehow doubt it but some commentators seems to be assuming it will. Do they know something I don't?

From what I've read, most, but not all of the iTunes catalog will be available for streaming. The Beatles, for example, is one notable exception. But don't blame Apple. Some artists and labels continue to oppose even paid streaming. They believe they will make more money if their music is only available for download.

[David Ayers]

Have Apple said that all current itunes content will be available on Apple Music? I somehow doubt it but some commentators seems to be assuming it will. Do they know something I don't?

From what I've read, most, but not all of the iTunes catalog will be available for streaming. The Beatles, for example, is one notable exception. But don't blame Apple. Some artists and labels continue to oppose even paid streaming. They believe they will make more money if their music is only available for download.

Got it. Thanks.

[A Lark Ascending]

The thing I worry about here is that as the big players move in we are likely to see a situation where certain music starts to get locked behind their walls, entry only permitted if you buy into one of their packages. At present I pay nothing for iTunes or Amazon so can access both - differences are slight, but sometimes one has something another does. As the 'efficiency' of free market capitalism ensures the smaller competition is driven to the wall, the temptation to buy exclusive rights on certain music will be very tempting (look at cable TV).

There is more music available today than I have ever known. But it is not always easy to find it, especially on the big sites. If you know what you want it's a search away. But none of these sites have very good 'generic' search systems once you move outside the mainstream (try and find a 'folk' record on iTunes - you need to check either singer songwriter or World).

I've noticed this of late after trying to get some idea of what has been happening in Scandinavian and French folk music in the last ten years. I can look up Ale Moller; but if I just want to know what's around, it's virtually impossible beyond the chance associations thrown up by the algorithms.

Now 20 years ago, it was even harder to track this stuff down. But around 2000 there were some excellent specialist sites that could give you pointers and order the CDs. They've been driven out of business by the big boys.

I know I'm to blame as I've bought extensively from Apple and Amazon and appreciate it is just the economic way of the world. Just wish someone with an interest in music was doing something to make 'browsing' in less popular fields easier.

Edited June 10, 2015 by A Lark Ascending

[Shawn]

I think we'll start seeing more exclusives as a way to differentiate services (much the same as streaming movie services).

Certain artists (or labels) will be exclusive to Spotify, others to Amazon, others to Apple Music, etc.

The way the whole Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, etc is working out is each service is making many exclusive deals. So, if you want to see HBO series then Amazon Prime is your only choice, want to watch Seinfeld...then Netflix is your choice, want to watch same-season series the day after they air...then Hulu Plus is where you have to go for that.

[JSngry]

I don't see the attraction of commercial-free services. Hell, I grew up in a house with one TV that only got four stations and none of them were NET. And I took a bus to school, only walked when I wanted to. So, not spoiled, not nostalgic, just...not bothered by commercials per se.

Otherwise, 10 busk here, ten bucks there, next thing you know, we're talking aobut real money jsut to get away from commercials, and hell, with the money I save, I can buy a CD or a used vinyls or something. Or a tank of gas. Or something.

[David Ayers]

I think we'll start seeing more exclusives as a way to differentiate services (much the same as streaming movie services).

Certain artists (or labels) will be exclusive to Spotify, others to Amazon, others to Apple Music, etc.

The way the whole Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, etc is working out is each service is making many exclusive deals. So, if you want to see HBO series then Amazon Prime is your only choice, want to watch Seinfeld...then Netflix is your choice, want to watch same-season series the day after they air...then Hulu Plus is where you have to go for that.

We need to remember to hate the "industry". What Shawn says is spot on, same in UK. It is customer-unfriendly to force consumers to purchase multiple services to access the prime material that interests them. Fortunately the internet is the consumer's friend too.

[A Lark Ascending]

I think we'll start seeing more exclusives as a way to differentiate services (much the same as streaming movie services).

Certain artists (or labels) will be exclusive to Spotify, others to Amazon, others to Apple Music, etc.

The way the whole Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, etc is working out is each service is making many exclusive deals. So, if you want to see HBO series then Amazon Prime is your only choice, want to watch Seinfeld...then Netflix is your choice, want to watch same-season series the day after they air...then Hulu Plus is where you have to go for that.

If it's a streaming approach that way, fine.

Just as long as you can access the music you want some other way...by CD, download, cylinder disc, whatever. It's the idea of music being exclusively locked into one system with the only means of access being buying a subscription to the whole site that I fear.

I don't have satellite/cable TV...but I can wait for the DVD to appear and then rent.

But if it all gets reduced to a few players, who know where exclusivity will go.

[Scott Dolan]

If it's a streaming approach that way, fine.

Just as long as you can access the music you want some other way...by CD, download, cylinder disc, whatever. It's the idea of music being exclusively locked into one system with the only means of access being buying a subscription to the whole site that I fear.

I don't have satellite/cable TV...but I can wait for the DVD to appear and then rent.

But if it all gets reduced to a few players, who know where exclusivity will go.

I'm not sure why we'd ever see that.

I think the upside is that titles will likely never go OOP again. Now, you may have to go to a different source to get it, but a digital master file will likely always exist.

Either way, it seems as though subscriptions for exclusive content is even a dying business model. People want to buy stuff, content providers know that, so they'll sell it. Streaming may be a bit different, but streaming is more akin to over the air radio than old school record stores. Only exception being that I believe when you subscribe to streaming services, the commercials go bye bye.

[A Lark Ascending]

Let's hope so.

Now if they can just spend some of their money hiring people to tag their downloads/streams with more precision. I must own no more than 30 records that I call reggae. But using the tags provided by the sites I've got hundreds!

I know; music beyond the immediately popular (except, perhaps, classical) is seen as a low revenue stream so not worth taking much time over archiving sensibly. We should be grateful it is there...somewhere.

[Scott Dolan]

Well, it really seems to be no worse than most chain record stores used to be. Rock, Country, Jazz, Classical, and Rap pretty much covers it all!