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iRadio: tracking Apple's attempt to build the iTunes of streaming music
Apple has been rumored to be working on building a streaming music service that would finally bring iTunes in line with the times. Commonly referred to as "iRadio," it is expected to be a little different than its eventual competitors. But Apple is clearly making moves. Industry sources have told The Verge that Cupertino has locked up deals with major records labels, and that it could make its debut as early as the company's World Wide Developer Conference on June 10.
Whenever iRadio does show up, it'll be jumping into a flood of competition — from startups such as Pandora, Rdio and Spotify to major tech players like Microsoft's Xbox Music and Google Play Music All Access. Despite this being an overcrowded space, no one service is dominating streaming music the way Netflix dominates streaming video. In other words, iRadio still has a chance to be something big by leveraging the strength and ubiquity of iTunes.
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July 19, 2013
Has Spotify killed the iTunes star? Download sales slow as streaming picks up
Nielsen says overall sales of tracks and albums for first half of year are down 4.6 percent
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May 23, 2013
Pandora still hasn't named CEO as losses widen
Board member Barry McCarthy leaves as company faces increasing competition and tough political battle
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May 22, 2013
With downloads dwindling, music publishers throw a roadblock into Apple's iRadio plans
Streaming services, such as Pandora and Spotify, aren't as profitable for music publishers. They want to change that.
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May 17, 2013
How Google beat Apple to a streaming music service
Sources say iRadio is still mired in licensing talks and may not be ready for WWDC
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May 9, 2013
Apple's iRadio talks stall as Google rushes to license new music service
Apple and Google are racing to launch new music services but Apple is getting tripped up by one of the labels.
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April 11, 2013
Apple and Universal Music agreement on streaming iRadio service imminent
Apple is expected to sign the largest record label perhaps as soon as next week, sources say. Warner Music is right behind.
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March 29, 2013
Biting the hand that feeds you: why are record labels fighting Pandora?
Labels want streaming and web radio to grow the pie, but want their share too
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March 11, 2013
Can anyone turn streaming music into a real business?
After ten years of struggle, nobody has figured out how to make music pay
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September 6, 2012
Apple working on Pandora-like music service, WSJ reports
The Wall Street Journal is reporting this evening that Apple is working on a streaming music service that would put it head-to-head with the likes of Pandora.