Apple Reportedly Inks Deal with Top Record Labels Ahead of Cloud Music Service Launch

[Michael Essany]

Call it a coincidence or mere happenstance, but on the same day we get news that Apple is ramping up its data storage facilities around the US, word comes that Apple has apparently sealed the deal (finally!) with several of the top labels in the music industry. Naturally, this development suggests that Apple is inching ever closer to rivaling both Amazon and Google with its very own cloud-storage and music streaming services.

Apple has signed a cloud-music licensing agreement with EMI Music and is very near to completing deals with Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment, multiple music industry sources told CNET.

If the "sources" are correct in their timeframe - that is, Apple will have signed deals with the four biggest labels by the end of next week - then it's a safe bet that Apple will unveil the new services on or around June 6th - the start of Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference.

At this point, it's all but certain that a new iPhone (either the iPhone 4S or the iPhone 5) won't be rolled out in two weeks. If, on the other hand, Apple has a nifty little cloud-based service to introduce, Apple fanatics may very well have something to be equally as excited about.

At this time, it is believed that Apple will charge for a cloud-based subscription service, although it is likely to be introduced for free during an initial trial period.

Source: CNET

[mmaboi21]

Exciting

Can't wAit

[Evilsaint]

That's good news data providers should seriously consider increasing data caps or this might be pointless.

[Cer0]

That's good news data providers should seriously consider increasing data caps or this might be pointless.

Yea, data caps hopefully will only be around for a tiny bit. With the amount of data being streamed nowadays they can't last for long. Even more so since the cable providors(generally the users ISP also) are providing streaming content themselves.

Comcast's cap is 250 gigs which is much higher than many of the ISPs that have enforced data caps.

[Axecaster]

Does anyone else think this is a scheme to gouge consumers? Now, all your services stream over the internet. BTW, small amount of data to start, but you can also get pricey add-ons, along with horrendous overages.

[TheJailbreakGenius]

I don't think "nifty little" is descriptive enough to talk about Apple's $100 million endeavor, 6 months in the making.

[feidhlim1986]

I'll go with Google Music, no doubt Apple's service will be uber restrictive and require that you have bought the songs from iTunes, not a chance they'll let you upload your own files like Google.

[steve-z17]

I'm waiting to know what the specs/limits/regulations for the cloud will be, then I'll decide whether I like it or not