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but canada never even got iTunes Radio after all these years, did it?
You're right, and that is really strange to me. I work in the music industry and I can tell you that there is no real reason that would be the case from an industry perspective...Canada has its own royalty rates for online streaming for performers, labels, writers, and publishers alike. We have Spotify, Rdio, Songza, etc. - the key connective tissue being that those services haven't come to Canada until (relatively) recently. So it signals to me that perhaps Apple is the culprit, and perhaps it is they who have been holding off on a major announcement for the international market(s) in order to launch worldwide cleanly with the new iTunes Radio and/or Apple Music. This is just conjecture though, I could be totally off in my analysis.
 
Not sure about that as Apple with have to negotiate or accept SOCAN's tariffs, etc. I'm preparing myself to be disappointed on Monday and going somewhere else for my music subscription. 13 bucks or an album or 1.30 for a song vs 10 bucks or 100 bucks a year (xbox) for music subscription in Canada. IMO, the way to go is subscription nowadays. But, I rather give/keep my CC info w/ Apple & MS only.

here's the link for SOCAN http://www.socan.ca/licensees/music-use

It wouldn't be Apple negotiating with SOCAN; it is more likely that Apple would have to negotiate with the labels, who, if unhappy with how Apple Music would fit into the statutory royalty scheme, would then have to lobby SOCAN and Re:Sound in order to attempt to establish new tariffs with the Copyright Board. However, since tariffs have been established in Canada for similar services I do not anticipate that being a boundary for Apple Music.
 
I hope this is a terrific service. 90 days free trial is impressive. However, I would think Apple will dominate the space quickly simply by embedding it into iOS... much like how Maps became the dominate mapping app on iOS by Apple deciding it shall be the default. No faulting 3 months to try it out... just saying it seems like they would get huge share by simply doing the Internet Explorer thing vs. Netscape (make it the default with the OS). For those so hungry for this, I hope you like it!
This is a really interesting argument, and you might be right. IMO, Spotify is dominating the space, and they're doing a pretty good job of it. Apple needs to offer something cooler than Spotify, though, in order to win over more customers - not just something audiophiles would go for but something the general public would respond to. The Zane Lowe thing is really good news in that sort of direction.
 
This is a really interesting argument, and you might be right. IMO, Spotify is dominating the space, and they're doing a pretty good job of it. Apple needs to offer something cooler than Spotify, though, in order to win over more customers - not just something audiophiles would go for but something the general public would respond to. The Zane Lowe thing is really good news in that sort of direction.

Spotify is king now. But Google Maps was king of iOS maps until Apple decided to roll their own and make it the default. Personally, I wish Apple wasn't even messing around in this space but I fully expect them to overtake Spotify in days (hours?) once this is embedded in iOS. Like Maps, that doesn't mean this will automatically be a better service than Spotify, just winning market share by the Microsoft IE trick. Nevertheless, I think the 90 day trial is great anyway... just probably not necessary become King.
 
I just bought a one-year Beats subscription. Already any educated guesses out there if this subscription will be transferred to the new service (and if yes, if I still get three months free) or if Beats music stays independently?
 
Hmm...Apple Radio sounds kind of like a competitor to Sirius/XM - managed stations designed around selling new music to new customers. I can't decide if that's better than some random 'bot determining that, because I "liked" that one Taylor Swift song I must be totally into every overproduced song performed by a blonde 20-something female or not. I've never been a huge fan of Sirius...we have it in one car and often let our subscription lapse, and don't miss it when it's gone. Good luck Apple.
 
This is starting to sound like it could be a mess. I hope iTunes Radio is still free with iTunes Match.
 
Hmm...Apple Radio sounds kind of like a competitor to Sirius/XM - managed stations designed around selling new music to new customers. I can't decide if that's better than some random 'bot determining that, because I "liked" that one Taylor Swift song I must be totally into every overproduced song performed by a blonde 20-something female or not. I've never been a huge fan of Sirius...we have it in one car and often let our subscription lapse, and don't miss it when it's gone. Good luck Apple.

i never got into those radios. i always end up hitting skip skip skip until i run out of skips lol
 
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Yeah, for 3 months I am willing to give it a try. I do have many, many years heavily invested in Pandora. I am always open to change and try out a new serivce.
 
I'll continue to obtain my music my own way considering this won't be available in Canada.
 
All I want is a working iTunes Radio. Don't want to "rent" my music, but I could pay for an ad-free curated radio service, and then buy the music I like from it. So hopefully this new endeavor means iTunes Radio at more locales as well.
 
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Given how badly the Hbo NOW app still functions, I don't have high hopes for this at launch.
 
This sounds compelling, however I worry a bit that Apple might stop selling music and move completely to subscription services.

I like buying and OWNING my favorite songs. The copy is MINE forever, and even lacks DRM so nobody can take it away from me. I don't want to lose that ability, and it feels like the whole industry is headed towards subscription models.

I'm even a Spotify subscriber, and listen a lot, but there's certain songs that I want to *own*.
 
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I would love it and would take the three months free but if it didn't work with SONOS, it is a non-starter for me.
 
All this streaming service talk has me worried about iTunes Match.

From Apple's side, it's got to be a hassle - I doubt there are that many customers still shelling out $25/yr. When does it become not worth it for them to maintain?

Sure, it's not perfect, but I'll be livid if they take it away. The cost/benefit is certainly there for me, and I'm quite content with the always-on access to "my" music that I "own," thank ya very much.
 
Okay I'll bite, but iTunes Radio never worked right and iTunes Match is a never-ending mess. I listen to all my music on Spotify now, except for SomaFM Drone Zone and Blue Mars Cryosleep which are streaming stations I listen to through iTunes.


I never had any real problems with either......
 
So basically iTunes Match customers are going to get screwed when Beats streaming service should be part of iTunes Match. iTunes Radio and Uploading music better be still part of iTunes Match or a lot of people will move to Amazon Prime.
 
My question is what's going to happen with iTunes Match? Will it be free now or included with the subscription? I'm not paying $25 a year and a monthly subscription. This is what I currently like about Google Music. I can store 50,000 songs for free. It helps fill in the gaps that might be there in the streaming service.
 
Upcoming 'Apple Music' Streaming Service to Include Three-Month Free Trial

Yeah after you give them your credit card
 
Awesome, I will enjoy using this new service... for exactly 3 months.

Not gonna pay for streaming music, as long services like Pandora are available.


ahh you will be paying by giving them your credit card info. Nothing is free
 
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