iTunes Radio

AdAge: iTunes Radio to launch in September with high-profile ad partners

Since Apple unveiled its new streaming music service, iTunes Radio, back in June, we haven't heard much about it. While we have a good idea, from the betas, of how it's going to work, there are still a lot of details we don't know.

But a new report out this morning is looking to change that, by filling in a lot of the blanks. Citing "people familiar with the negotiations," it claims that iTunes Radio is launching in September with some high-profile brand partners...

Apple asking Internet radio stations for iTunes Radio cover art

As its iTunes Radio launch draws closer, Apple has begun sending out emails to owners of Internet radio stations asking that they provide cover art for future use on iTunes and mobile devices.The move suggests that the company is looking to feature independent streaming music stations, alongside its premium iTunes content, in the upcoming service...

iTunes 11.1 Beta 1 drops with built-in iTunes Radio

Alongside today's release of iOS 7 Beta 4, Apple has also seeded a new version of iTunes to its registered developers. The first beta of the upcoming iTunes 11.1 is now available via Apple's Dev Center (the current iTunes build carries a version number of 11.0.4). The beta software contains the iTunes Radio feature, which on desktop is currently available only in the United States on OS X 10.7 or later Macs...

iTunes Radio, right on cue as streaming dollars replace download dollars

You don't get anywhere in consumer tech by being tone-deaf to trends. Apple's decision to get into digital music downloads just as sales of CDs slowed is just an example. Now comes evidence the iTunes Music Store owner is on the leading edge of the latest trend to hit: streaming replacing music downloads.

Apple's upcoming ad-supported iTunes Radio will appear as the number of digital songs sold have been slowing for some time while the number of tunes being streamed across the Internet is skyrocketing lately. Through the first half of 2013, 682 million digital songs were sold, a 2.3 percent drop from the 698 million in 2012.

By comparison, the number of songs streamed has risen 24 percent, according to industry watchers...

Rich iTunes iRadio playlist customization in the works, patent suggests

When Apple announced plans to offer iTunes Radio, observers quickly compared the service to Spotify, and other streaming music offerings.

However, a new patent application reveals the iPhone maker wants to go far beyond a simple 'like' or 'dislike' to customize a user's playlist.

Apple's vision of a playlist connects a user's musical preferences already part of iTunes, while offering the ability to tweak a song list on the fly. The application, published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Thursday, also outlines playlist customization based on such ephemeral factors as how a certain song makes you feel...

Apple sending out iTunes Radio terms to indie record labels

In dramatic fashion, Apple's iTunes Radio negotiations with the top 3 record labels came down to the wire. After a number of setbacks, the company was determined to unveil its new streaming music service at WWDC. And it reportedly spent the days leading up to its keynote closing deals.

But now that the [beta] launch has come and gone, Apple is looking to expand its streaming library. According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, the company has been talking to various indie music labels, letting them know how the royalty pay scale work on the new service...

Rdio responds to iTunes Radio with new Song Stations feature

Apple sent shutters through the music streaming industry last week when it confirmed rumors that it had been working on a new radio service. The still-in-beta service allows users to create custom radio stations based on their favorite songs, genres, artists or albums—similar to Pandora.

iTunes Radio won't be available to everyone until the fall, but early positive feedback has some music services scrambling to respond. And today, Rdio issued its response in the form of an app update that includes Song Stations, a feature that allows you to create custom radio stations...

Hands-on with Apple TV 5.4 Beta: iTunes Radio, Conference Room Display, custom subtitles

To go along with the recently released iOS 7 Beta 1, Apple has also made a companion Apple TV beta software available for download to its registered developers. The pre-release code enables such new capabilities as iTunes Radio free music streaming, a new Conference Room Display setting and fully customizable subtitles.

The first beta of what would later become the Apple TV 5.4 software update was posted to Apple's portal for developers after last Monday's keynote. The pre-release version is meant to be used for testing AirPlay with third-party iOS apps. As we haven't had a chance to cover it extensively, here's what to expect in terms of features...

What happened to all of the curse words in iTunes Radio?

As expected, Apple introduced a new streaming music service on Monday during its WWDC keynote. It's built into the Music app in iOS 7, and it plays full songs, at random, based on a genre, album or artist of your choosing. It's a lot like Pandora.

But it's better than Pandora. I can't explain it, but I've been using it non stop the past two days and it almost always feels like the DJ is playing my song. Maybe it's magic. Or maybe it's my 5+ years of iTunes purchase history. Either way, it rocks.

My only complaint about the service is that, for some reason, there doesn't seem to be any music with explicit lyrics. Even with rap songs, all I get are edited versions. So I have to ask, Apple, what happened to all of the curse words in iTunes Radio?

Apple announces iTunes Radio, coming this Fall

Ending months of speculation, Apple here at WWDC talked about its Pandora-like service, dubbed by the press iRadio. The company is actually calling it iTunes Radio and pitches it as a free Internet radio service that features over 200 stations and “an incredible catalog of music” from the iTunes Store. Built right into a redesigned Music app in iOS 7, iTunes Radio streams music for free, in exchange for ads.

The new service also gives you access to “first listen” premieres from top selling artists and other exclusives. Tim Cook called it "the best way to discover new music." Here's your fine print...