Amazon to Introduce Streaming Music Service This Summer, Only Offering Songs 6-Months or Older [iOS Blog]
Amazon will be launching a music streaming service offered free to customers paying for its $99/year Amazon Prime service. The service will launch in June or July according to a new report from Buzzfeed.
The news follows yesterday’s acquisition of Beats Music by Apple, and a report from February that claimed Amazon was investigating the possibility of a music service to accompany Prime.
Amazon’s streaming catalog will only include songs older than six months, likely saving the company on royalty costs. Spotify, Beats and Rdio all offer new releases to their subscribers.
The company will expand its Prime membership offerings by adding a stockpile of old and newish music for subscribers to stream on demand. The Prime music service, which is scheduled to launch this June or July, will not include recent releases but instead restrict its catalog to songs and albums that are 6 months old and older, five music industry sources familiar with the company’s plans confirmed to BuzzFeed.
Amazon has some 20 million paying Prime members and offers them a library of movie and TV shows via its Netflix-esque Prime Instant Video service along with free 2-day shipping on most items the company sells.
Recently, Amazon signed a deal with HBO to stream older original content from the cable network to Prime subscribers.
Apple Nears Completion of WWDC Decorations at Moscone Center
Apple is nearly finished decorating the Moscone Center ahead of its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco next week. Decorations began appearing earlier this week with a larger banner that says “Write the code. Change the world.”
MacStories editor Federico Viticci has shared selection of images from San Francisco. Giant Apple logos are nearly finished on the sides of Moscone, with large square panels in the same style as the other banners have appeared on the Metreon building across the street.
Finally, MacRumors reader Joseph sent in this image of an empty banner bracket inside Moscone West. In past years, Apple has draped black tarps over banners that were then revealed following the Monday morning keynote address.
Apple’s WWDC keynote kicks off on Monday at 10:00 AM Pacific Time, and the company will be providing a live video stream of the event.
Apple’s smart home plan rumored to be a boring certification program
When rumors of Apple’s smart home efforts broke Monday, expectations for the future of home automation began to soar. According to sources speaking with Gigaom though, Cupertino’s connected household project has more to do with fragmentation and the “Made for iPhone” label portion of the initial rumor. It seems that the focus of the program is to certify those smart devices that are scattered around residences rather than building automation controls into iOS or some such. The process is said to keep both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity alongside voice control as key items for linking all those gadgets together, but as of now, a universal control system or a list of partnerships doesn’t seem to be on tap for WWDC next week.
Filed under: Household, Software, Mobile
Source: Gigaom
Apple’s ‘Smart Home’ Initiative Focused on ‘Made for iPhone’ Certification, Not Deep Integration
Earlier this week, a report suggested Apple has plans to unveil a new smart home initiative at WWDC. This platform would allow the iPhone to directly control lights, security systems, and other household gadgets, with Apple giving third-party device makers official approval for integrated devices.
Gigaom has some new information on how the smart home program will work, confirming that it is a fairly simple program that will certify both connected devices already on the market and upcoming devices under the existing “Made for iPhone” certification process currently used for iOS accessories like iPhone cables and gaming controllers.
The program will not include an Apple-made software interface that overrides the existing apps tied to current iOS-compatible home accessories like the Philips Hue lighting system or the Nest thermometer, and will instead focus on connecting devices via WiFi. There’s also the possibility for voice control using Bluetooth.
The MFi certification will essentially be used to notify consumers about which products will integrate well both with the iPhone and with other home automation accessories, suggesting the program introduced next week will feature several home automation product manufacturers that have agreed to work with the MFi standards for quality and compatibility.
Instead of worrying about hubs and what might work with other devices, consumers can look for the MFi label and be assured that they can pull their smart home setup together — and control it from their iOS device.
It’s technically possible that the user could control some device functions from a handset or tablet without opening the app, or that the app would open automatically based on a voice command or eventually through presence detection.
Apple is expected to unveil more information on its smart home initiative on Monday, when WWDC kicks off with an opening keynote.
Apple Removes Sidebar Link to iPod Classic in Several Refurbished Stores [Mac Blog]
Apple today removed the link to the iPod classic from the sidebar of its U.S. and Canadian refurbished stores, perhaps offering an indication that the ancient hard drive-based MP3 player is finally on its last legs. Though the link is gone, the actual page for the refurbished iPod classic remains on Apple’s website.
The sidebar link is still present in Apple’s international refurbished stores for the time being, but it is greyed out, indicating that no units are available to purchase. It is not entirely clear when Apple’s refurbished store last had iPod classic models in stock, but it seems to have been quite some time ago and today’s removal of the sidebar link suggests that Apple has no plans to bring them back to the store.
The iPod classic is the successor to the original iPod introduced in 2001 and is the only remaining MP3 player in Apple’s lineup that uses a hard disk drive for music storage. As highlighted in our Buyer’s Guide, Apple hasn’t updated the iPod classic since 2009, and no further updates are expected given the device’s age and the fact that hard drive manufacturers are no longer producing the 1.8-inch hard drives used in the iPod classic. Seemingly every year, a new crop of rumors claims Apple is discontinuing the device, but the venerable iPod classic has hung on year after year as an option for those looking to carry larger music libraries on the go. Speculation has suggested that once the iPod touch becomes available in a 128 GB option, Apple may finally choose to retire the iPod classic, but the company has elected not to increase the maximum capacity of the iPod touch since 2009 when the third-generation model became the first to offer up to 64 GB of storage.
Sales of Apple’s iPod lineup have been declining as customers turn to the iPhone to meet their music needs. In its latest quarterly earnings for Q2 2014, iPod net sales contributed only 1 percent to Apple’s overall revenue, while the iPhone accounted for 57 percent. The iPhone may have crippled iPod sales, but the iWatch may be the death knell. According to analyst Christopher Caso of Susquehanna Financial Group, sales of the iPod will continue to decline precipitously as consumers choose the wrist-watch device instead of a stand-alone player.
While we don’t expect AAPL to discontinue iPod for some time, we also don’t expect an iPod refresh this year, and believe iPod could post Y/Y unit declines as a result as consumers purchasing iWatch as a substitute.
Besides the iPod classic, Apple also recently removed the 17-inch MacBook Pro from its refurbished store after discontinuing the notebook in 2012.
With Beats, Apple faces the music
So the Apple/Beats deal is done. But, what most people really want to know is “why?” We got an official answer surprisingly quickly. But, let’s face it: Of course the execs are going to wax lyrical about how important music is to the brand and spew other such meaningless soundbites. The only reason a company buys another is to make more money. That could simply be through acquiring a profitable company, which Beats is believed to be by most estimations (if we consider the hardware and streaming entities as one). The bigger question is, with music streaming still largely unproven as a revenue stream, has Apple bought itself an expensive lesson in business?
When Rdio’s then-CEO Drew Larner told NPR his firm “will absolutely be profitable” once it gets to 25 million to 30 million subscribers, we got a small insight into the inner workings of your average music-streaming service. Larner actually added “wildly profitable,” suggesting the real figure to turn a profit is somewhere south of that.
We don’t know Rdio’s current subscriber numbers, but we do have a fairly good idea about Beats Music, if a recently leaked document is to be believed. As of March of this year, Beats Music only had around 110,000 paying subscribers. Although recent claims are more optimistic, putting that figure at around 250,000. Going by the current monthly subscription costs for regular and “Family” accounts, at best those 110,000 users would have been generating $16 million a year in revenue. That’d take a fair while for Apple to see a return on its investment if music streaming was its primary focus. This is the best-case scenario, as none of this accounts for the fact that many of those Family subscriptions are likely taking advantage of AT&T’s 90-day free trial.
Competition in this market is tough, and thanks to the multitude of different approaches, it’s nigh on impossible to make direct comparisons. What we do know, however, is that music streaming is on the rise (up 32 percent between 2012/2013). Music downloading (purchasing), on the other hand, actually declined to the tune of 6 percent over the same period. The uptick in streaming fits with the latest figures from Pandora and Spotify, which both claim a continued growth in users (75 million and 40 million, respectively, a quarter of Spotify’s being paying subscribers).
As for actually selling music, that isn’t something Apple struggles to do. Not too long ago, Apple claimed 15,000 tracks a minute were being downloaded through iTunes. Even a 6 percent drop in that figure still makes for an impressive number. It’s likely Apple hoped to balance out that small decline with iTunes Radio and its “listen free, but buy if you like” model. But that doesn’t appear to be working — no matter how close it puts that purchase button to the play icon — if recent reports are to be believed. The question, then, is: Will Apple merge iTunes Radio and Beats Music together in the hope that it can increase those conversions? Or will it axe iTunes Radio completely, installing Beats in its wake? A drastic measure perhaps, but with a reported 40 million users on iTunes Radio, if it can get even a fraction of those committed to Beats’ paid platform (no ad-supported option exists), then it certainly stands to make more than our estimated $16 million best-case scenario. If Apple could get 10 percent of its iTunes Radio users to sign up with Beats Music, then the numbers suddenly look a lot more promising. If it can convince just 4 million users to pay $10 a month, that annual subscription revenue jumps to a much healthier $480 million.
The same site that leaked Beats’ subscriber figures also points to another interesting figure — the low amount of royalties that Beats pays to songwriters (approximately $0.000126 per play). Beats has previously stated that its strategy is to make sure content owners get a good deal and to work with them more closely than other services. So, in many cases that content owner could well be the songwriter. But, this is, perhaps, a good indicator of where the purchase of Beats Music offers its best return, and where Beats co-founder Jimmy Iovine’s reported industry sway could really pay off. Has it paid off to the tune of $3 billion? Well, that’s the million (billion?) dollar question.
Source: The Trichordist
Beats Tones Down the Bass With its New Solo2 Headphones
Following the announcement that Apple was acquiring Beats Electronics, the audio accessory company is not slowing down, announcing a new version of its most popular set of on-ear headphones. The new Beats Solo² offers a new physical design and improved acoustics that promise to deliver “a wider range of sound and enhanced clarity.”
An early review from Engadget suggests the new cans tone down the bass, providing a “more balanced” sound than other Beats headphone models that often are criticized for their bass-heavy sound.
Well, the best way I can describe the sound here is “more balanced.” Don’t get me wrong: There’s still plenty of bass when tunes call for it, but you can also clearly pick up other elements — things like hi-hats, snares and others all seem to stand out more when compared to previous releases.
Besides the improved audio quality, the Beats Solo² has a sleeker, more polished design that makes the headphones comfortable to wear, says The Wall Street Journal.
The new design, which echoes the more expensive, over-ear Beats Studio, is sleeker, with no visible screws and higher quality materials that offer a more premium feel than the predecessor. Acoustics have been improved, too. The ear cups now sit at an angle that’s far more comfortable on your ears—especially after hours of wear. The new ear-cup design also blocks out more background noise.
Now that Apple is acquiring Beats, these Solo² headphones may be among the last models released by Beats as a standalone company. Going forward, Apple will oversee the design and marketing of Beats’ future products. As part of this transition, Beats will sever its long-term relationship with design firm Ammunition, which is responsible for the design of the Beats’ current lineup of headphones and speakers.
The new Beats Solo² headphones are available now for pre-order from Beats’ website and will arrive in retail stores beginning June 1. Pricing for the model remains the same, with the Solo² costing $199. It is available in a variety of colors including pink, blue, gray, white or red.
Apple Reportedly Testing Wireless Charging Coils for iWatch Ahead of Fall Launch
Apple is once again said to be considering wireless charging capabilities for the iWatch, according to a various Chinese media reports citing sources at Apple supplier Luxshare (Google Translate, via GforGames).
Traditional watch-style iWatch concept by Gábor Balogh.
The Shenzen-based company has reportedly sent Apple wireless charging coils for certification, and pending approval, will likely be providing the wireless charging modules for the iWatch. The report also notes that the iWatch will launch in the second half of this year pending production times.
A report last December also stated that Apple would include wireless charging capabilities in the iWatch, allowing the device to charge from up to a meter away. The iWatch’s battery life has been previously reported as a problem for Apple, with iWatch prototypes lasting only 1-2 days on a charge and the company hoping to find ways to extend that to 4-5 days. While wireless charging would be one way to reduce the burden of frequent charges, it is still unclear exactly how it would be implemented in the device’s body.
Rumors have indicated Apple’s iWatch will contain several different biometric sensors allowing it to track health-related metrics like heart rate, sleep quality and more. The sensors will aggregate data that will be stored in a rumored “Healthbook” application, slated for inclusion in iOS 8.
Along with health-related functionality, the iWatch will likely integrate with the iPhone and iPad to provide notifications and quick access to frequently used apps and services.
Apple’s iWatch is rumored to ship later this year two different sizes to accommodate different sized wrists. A report last week stated the the device will feature a round face similar to that of Motorola’s Moto 360 smart watch, with production beginning in late July.
RSS Feed Viewer ‘Reeder 2’ Now Avaliable for Mac with Support for Multiple RSS Platforms [Mac Blog]
A month after a public beta was made available, RSS news reader Reeder 2 has officially launched in the Mac App Store. The original Reeder app was discontinued following the shutdown of Google Reader last July. The new version of the program is compatible with RSS platforms such as Feedbin, Feedly, Feed Wrangler, Fever, and Readability along with support for local and standalone RSS.
Other features:
– Themes
– Gestures
– Customizable shortcutsSharing services:
– Safari Reading List
– QUOTE.fm Read
– Buffer
– Readability
– Instapaper
– Evernote
– MarsEdit
– Pinboard
– Delicious
– App.net
– Messages
Reeder also launched Reeder 2 for iOS devices [Direct Link] this past September, which featured compatibility with numerous RSS services, in addition to gesture-based navigation, view modes, and the ability to share stories through a variety of services.
Reeder 2 for Mac is a $9.99 download and is available through the Mac App Store. [Direct Link]
Eddy Cue: Steve Jobs Would Be ‘Extremely Proud’ of Apple’s Current and Future Products
Apple’s SVP of Internet Services Eddy Cue and Beats co-founder Jimmy Iovine spoke on the impact of Steve Jobs on Apple during an interview with Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher yesterday at the Re/code Code Conference. While the pair noted that a transition was inevitable after Jobs’ death, both spoke on Apple’s commitment to quality and putting together an exceptional executive team.
When asked about the late-cofounder, Cue noted that Jobs wanted to “create a culture that was going to last longer than he was going to be CEO.” Cue also maintained that the company’s values remain in strong attention to every detail and putting product quality first, all while “doing a few things and doing them really great.”
Cue was also asked if Apple had to go through a “reset” period when Jobs passed away three years ago and his current feelings on the company:
I never felt like we had a reset. I feel like we have an amazing executive team, many of us who have been there for a long time, working together as a team, building those products whether it’s hardware, software, services, completely integrated.
Look, Steve was a great friend, a great mentor, I miss him, you can’t say it doesn’t mean anything from that standpoint; but when I look at what he set up at Apple and what we’re doing, I think he’d be extremely proud of the all the work we’re doing today and the products we’re building, and I think we’re continuing a lot of the legacy he built.
Iovine also commented on the former CEO, praising Apple’s executive team and stating that Jobs “put the greatest team in the world together” despite an inevitable transition period for the company. The Beats CEO also admitted that he was surprised on how “flexible” Apple is, noting that it “moves like a small company” despite its large presence.
Cue and Iovine also discussed a number of other topics during the interview, mostly pertaining to Apple’s $3 billion acquisition of Beats that was made official yesterday. Cue shared that Apple has the best product pipeline in 25 years coming later this year, all while noting new milestones for iTunes and the company’s quest to “fix” the TV experience.
