Apple Signs EMI, Cloud Music Deals Almost Done

[MacRumors]

CNet reports that Apple has almost completed the agreements with the top four record companies to launch their cloud music offering.

Apple is closing in on obtaining the necessary agreements with the top four record companies that will enable the company to launch a fully licensed cloud-music service, according to sources with knowledge of the talks.

According to CNet, Warner Music Group and EMI Music deals are in place while Sony Music Group and Universal Music Group are "close" and could be completed by next week.

Both Amazon and Google have recently launched cloud-storage and music streaming services but without the record labels' consent. Apple is rumored to be including such a "digital locker" service in the next major version of iOS and has rumored to have purchased "iCloud.com" domain as the possible name for the service.

Article Link: Apple Signs EMI, Cloud Music Deals Almost Done

 

[joeswinehart]

Looking forward to this becoming a reality...they should do a nice job with this.

 

[Kapangas]

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Sweet! I'm sure it'll be better than Google's and Amazon's

 

[goobot]

Hopefully they get the deals before the wwdc!

 

[Full of Win]

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Just waiting for the "only iTunes purchased music" hammer to fall. When / if it does, this will be slightly more popular than Ping is currently.

 

[philbeeney]

Why do I have this feeling that once Apple has signed and closed these deals, Amazon and Google will be stung with a cease & desist from the RIAA for their cloud music efforts, leaving just Apple as the only place to go for cloud music.

 

[coder12]

Why do I have this feeling that once Apple has signed and closed these deals, Amazon and Google will be stung with a cease & desist from the RIAA for their cloud music efforts, leaving just Apple as the only place to go for cloud music.

Because you are a jedi!

We'll see how far this goes, I'd really like to be able to upload my 8gb of music to the cloud for on the road!

 

[BigDukeSix]

Why do I have this feeling that once Apple has signed and closed these deals, Amazon and Google will be stung with a cease & desist from the RIAA for their cloud music efforts, leaving just Apple as the only place to go for cloud music.

That would be okay, more market share for Apple means my stock goes up!

 

[CFreymarc]

Looking forward to this becoming a reality...they should do a nice job with this.

You have that right. iCloud = MobileMe done right.

 

[AdeFowler]

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Sweet! I'm sure it'll be better than Google's and Amazon's

Or crippled to keep the labels happy? Let's hope not

 

[mdriftmeyer]

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Just waiting for the "only iTunes purchased music" hammer to fall. When / if it does, this will be slightly more popular than Ping is currently.

You should be in on the negotiations. Clearly, Apple is lost without your prognostications.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

That would be okay, more market share for Apple means my stock goes up!

Look everyone a living example of an Apple Fanboy.

I think google and Amazon know that the RIAA can not really touch them on how they are currently doing it. Space is cheaper then more than likely what RIAA was demanding in fees. RIAA business model is very out dated and they are still struggling to stay relevant in today's internet world.

 

[lsvtecjohn3]

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Just waiting for the "only iTunes purchased music" hammer to fall. When / if it does, this will be slightly more popular than Ping is currently.

No need to be a negative nancy, let's wait and see what Apple has to offer before we complain.

 

[Take Flight]

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Just waiting for the "only iTunes purchased music" hammer to fall. When / if it does, this will be slightly more popular than Ping is currently.

Yup - first thought I had when I heard about possibly not having to actually upload any music. iTunes purchases aside, you'd be SOL as far as music in your collection that is not available on the store (and therefore not in their cloud). Also, imagine there would be plenty of song-matching issues with songs that don't match up up ID3 tag info with Apple's cloud tracks properly.

 

[Dmcgee123]

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Really, anything short of being able to upload 80+ GB of non-iTunes music will elicit a big fat yawn from me. And I seriously doubt this will happen, so...can't say I'm too excited about iCloud.

 

[Full of Win]

No need to be a negative nancy, let's wait and see what Apple has to offer before we complain.

Never said it was going to happen, just saying what I think the outcome would be IF it were to happen that way. I would elated if this deal was source agnostic, however, I think there is a distinct possibility that it will be for iTunes only acquired content.

 

[LoganT]

Maybe Apple will allow you to upload iTunes tracks if you have MobileMe, but require you to pay extra on top of the MobileMe charge to upload non-iTunes tracks.

 

[Rad99004]

If the other "Cloud" services didn't ask the Music labels for the OK who do you think the Music labels are going to sign with? Apple all the way ! The other services will have pay a higher price for the OK or be asked to shut down.

Why do I have this feeling that once Apple has signed and closed these deals, Amazon and Google will be stung with a cease & desist from the RIAA for their cloud music efforts, leaving just Apple as the only place to go for cloud music.

 

[ccuilla]

Maybe Apple will allow you to upload iTunes tracks if you have MobileMe, but require you to pay extra on top of the MobileMe charge to upload non-iTunes tracks.

Possibly something like that. But I'd actually be very surprised if you had to upload anything you've actually purchased from the iTunes store. They already know what you bought. My guess is that your Apple/iTunes ID becomes your login to your iCloud service and...you login...agree to the Terms of Service and...Boom! All your iTunes purchased content is already there.

 

[ccuilla]

Why do I have this feeling that once Apple has signed and closed these deals, Amazon and Google will be stung with a cease & desist from the RIAA for their cloud music efforts, leaving just Apple as the only place to go for cloud music.

This would probably even be an unofficial request from Apple to the record companies. ;-) Sometimes business is war.

 

[Wayfarer]

iCloud? Nooo! I wanted my Castle in the sky.

 

[ArchaicRevival]

Oh yeah, iCloud service... Bring it, bring it...

 

[AppleDroid]

as long as I don't have to pay a fee or recurring monthly charge I'm all aboard.

 

[ccuilla]

as long as I don't have to pay a fee or recurring monthly charge I'm all aboard.

I'm betting there will be a "freemium" model. A free plan with one or more fee-based plans with additional features.

 

[LoganT]

I bet it's free if you purchase an iPhone 5.