One of the most important Apple announcements coming from WWDC 2015 concerns music. Apple has finally announced its Beats-based music streaming service, which will be available starting with late June on iOS 8.4, Mac and Windows devices, and on Android in the fall. Most importantly, Apple Music is already changing the music streaming landscape, and you’ll totally love it, even if you don’t plan to ever use it.
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At first glance, Apple’s Music pricing structure is similar to what competitors have to offer. For $9.99 per month after a three-month trial period, you get to listen to almost any track available in its library. There’s also Beats 1, a revamped iTunes Radio service that’s sort-of a free Apple Music service though not quite.
But Apple managed to make Apple Music very interesting for families. For $14.99 per month, users will be able to add up to six family members to their Apple Music subscription, and each person will have access to their own personal Apple Music account.
That monthly fee is significantly below what competitors charge, including Spotify and Radio, which will bill you $14.99 per month for two people, and $29.99 for five.
However, The Verge has learned that at least Spotify is willing to price-match Apple’s offer. That means Spotify users who aren’t really looking forward to jumping to Apple Music, or Android fans who won’t be able to get Apple Music until later in fall, will enjoy cheaper family music streaming prices.
“We already have similar family pricing in some markets and we expect to offer competitive pricing everywhere in the near future,” Spotify’s global head of communications Jonathan Price told tech blog.
It’s likely other music streaming services will also reconsider their family music streaming subscription offers.
