14 DAY TRIAL // Apple is pursuing licensing deals to offer iOS customers a custom radio service much in the way of Pandora Media, the operator of Pandora Radio, an automated music recommendation service.
People familiar with Apple’s plans reportedly told the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times that Apple Inc. is now in talks to license music for a Pandora-like service. The iPhone maker wants to expand its presence in the online music market.
The service would be operable on all Apple devices, but also on Windows computers. The sources specifically said that Google’s Android OS would not be getting the service, as competition between the two giant companies intensifies with each passing year.
The WSJ speculated that such deals may allow Apple to compete with terrestrial radio as well, through sidestepping some restrictions currently set in place for these services.
The New York Times independently confirmed that Apple is working on a type of Pandora, adding that Cupertino doesn’t have plans to launch it any time soon (not this year, anyway).
As expected, an Apple spokesperson declined to comment, as did representatives of Sony Music, EMI and the Warner Music Group.
Some Apple watchers, however, believe Apple is not that determined to rival Pandora.
“What’s in this for Apple?” asked Michael Pachter, an analyst at Wedbush Securities. “Pandora already does a great job, so does iHeartRadio, so does Last.fm. Why do we need another one?”
Pandora Radio iOS users can start with the name of their favorite artist, song (even classical composers) and the service will automatically create a custom “station” that plays that type of music.
Fans of the service can subscribe to Pandora One for $3.99 (€3) per month for: no ads, higher quality audio, a desktop application, custom skins, and fewer interruptions.