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How Apple plans to retake its place at the top of the music business

Published Feb 24th, 2015 11:15PM EST
Apple iTunes Beats Music

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Apple is developing it’s own iTunes music streaming service, and that’s not exactly a secret considering that it already owns Beats Music. But Business Insider has learned more details about this secret music project and suggests the company is preparing a massive overhaul for its iconic iTunes service in the process.

FROM EARLIER: Apple’s latest acquisition could make Beats Music even better

According to a source familiar with Apple’s music plans for the near future, the company isn’t just going to offer users access to a new streaming site. Instead, Apple will relaunch iTunes with a focus on music streaming rather than downloads, which makes sense considering the massive success of Spotify.

But Apple isn’t apparently happy to just letting users stream music and it wants to offer additional features, including curated music streams, possibly managed by musicians. Well-known BBC radio DJ Zane Lowe, one of Apple’s most recent hires, will reportedly be the “mastermind” of this new service.

Additionally, Apple will also offer some sort of music-related articles of its own — the company is currently looking for a music journalist who would manage a team of freelancers for iTunes content.

Finally, the upcoming iTunes music service will not compete with the existing Beats Music product, as the two would be unified into a single product.

The resulting iTunes product might be similar to the WiMP (Tidal) music service, Business Insider suggests, which is being purchased by Jay-Z.

Details about pricing and launch dates for this major iTunes overhaul aren’t available at this time, and the publication notes that plans are at a very early stage right now.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.