Believe me, I checked the calendar to make sure it wasn’t already April 1st before I dropped the hammer on this one. OK, here we go… Billboard is reporting that Apple is considering the launch of an on-demand streaming service similar to Spotify, and the topper to the report? It’s also thinking about making an Android version of the iTunes app available.
From Billboard:
Apple has opened exploratory talks with senior label executives about the possibility of launching an on-demand streaming service that would rival Spotify and Beats Music, according to three people familiar with the talks. Apple is also thinking about adding an iTunes App for Android phones, the Google rival that has been growing faster than the iPhone, these sources said.
Billboard points to the U.S. digital sales figures for this year so far as reason for the changes Apple is said to be considering. Digital album sales are down 13 percent for the week ended March 9, and digital track sales are down 11 percent from last year. (Figures from Nielsen SoundScan.)
Apple has been working recently to lure more customers into the iTunes Store with exclusive album releases, such as Beyoncé’s recent album, which was released first on iTunes. Apple is reportedly pushing the record companies for more deals of that type.
Apple does have its iTunes Radio streaming music service which it launched last year alongside iOS 7, however, it is station based, much like Pandora. A service to compete with the likes of Spotify or Beats Music would allow listeners to choose their own content, with much more flexibility than iTunes Radio offers.
In my opinion, I can see a new streaming music service from Apple to compete with the likes of Spotify, but the whole iTunes for Android thing just doesn’t ring true. I can’t see Apple porting one of their signature apps over to another platform like that. The support issues for the numerous type of Android devices alone would be a nightmare.
What do you think reader? Does any of this ring true for you? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
