Apple has launched its streaming music service in a bid to topple Spotify and Tidal.
The firm officially unveiled the Apple Music
app at 11am by releasing an update to its iOS software.
Users will get a three month trial of the new
service, after which it will cost $9.99 (£9.99) per month.
The new update also moves audiobooks to
iBooks, instead of the Music or iTunes app, and includes new ways to browse and
buy titles from within iOS, and fixes several bugs in the software.
Apple described its all-new Music app as 'All
the ways you love music. All in one place.'
'We want to give you the right song, at the
right moment, all on demand,' it said.
It will stream songs, and also feature a 24
radio station called Beats One, and a smart prediction service to recommend
songs.
It is available as a single app on iOS and
consists of three main features - a music service, a global radio station and a
social network for artists to share with fans.
Apple Music will cost $9.99 a month or $14.99 for a family plan - both with a three-month free trial.
This includes 'tens of thousands of music
videos' with no adverts.
The new service was introduced last month by
Jimmy Iovine, who became an Apple employee when Apple bought his Beats.
'It's all the way you love music all in one place,' he said.
'Algorithms can't do this, you need a human
touch,' he said.
'It's a music lover's dream'
It also has a Beats One service with live 24
hour radio stations around the world.
'Apple told me to put the incredible in front
of the average,' said Zane Lowe, the DJ who is heading the Beats One station.
It also has connect, a social network
allowing artists to talk to fans directly.
However, the service has hit problems over
its deals with independent labels, and its plan to offer a free
trial.
Apple's decision not to pay artists during
Apple Music's free trial had labels and artists up in arms - with many refusing
to sign deals with the firm.
But following its public U-turn earlier this
week, the Worldwide Independent Network has agreed to support and endorse a
deal with the tech giant.
In a statement, the network - which covers
labels with artists such as Adele and Radiohead - said: 'We think Apple Music
provides artists with a business model that’s good for the long term and we
look forward to its launch.'
Last week Taylor Swift revealed she will
stream her latest album on Apple Music following an online row with the
firm.
Just days after the new streaming service
agreed to pay artists during its free-trail to subscribers, the 25-year-old has
revealed she will allow the service to stream her album 1989 for the first time
ever.
It comes as Apple revealed that a host of
stars including Dr Dre, Elton John and Pharrell Williams will present shows on
the Beats 1 service that accompanies the music streaming app.
The musical star took to Twitter to reveal
her change of heart with both Apple and streaming of her album: 'After the
events of this week, I've decided to put 1989 on Apple Music...and happily so.'
'This is simply the first time it's felt
right in my gut to stream my album.
The star said: 'In case you're wondering if
this is some exclusive deal like you've seen Apple do with other artists, it's
not.'
The change of heart by Taylor is almost as
big as the change of heart by Apple following the star and the service's public
disagreement.
The superstar penned an open letter on Sunday
morning, shaming the tech giant for its 'shocking' decision not to pay artists
during a three-month free trial offered to subscribers.
Apple Music is set to go worldwide at the end
of June, with monthly subscriptions costing $9.99 - or $14.99 for a family of
up to six people.
The service will be free for three months so
that users can try it out before signing up.
The dispute is the latest between music streaming
companies and the Shake It Off singer, who is one of Spotify's most outspoken
critics.
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