WWDC: Apple Inc. (AAPL) Announces iTunes Radio

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In a day full of announcements at the WWDC, including the unveiling of OS X Maverick and the wholly overhauled iOS 7, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) also introduced it’s long anticipated music streaming service entitled iTunes Radio. Owing to the iTunes store and its present relationships and licensing deals with every major record label, users should expect a veritable plethora of options from the customizable streaming service announced today.

WWDC: Apple Inc. (AAPL) Announces iTunes Radio

iTunes Radio will feature over 200 stations and will be available to nearly everyone who possesses internet connectivity with the glaring exception of Android users to whom Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has never offered iTunes. Mac, PC, Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch users will all have access to the wealth of music offered by the iTunes Store. In addition to the aforementioned channels, users will be able to create customized channels based on the music that they listen to or download. The more you use iTunes Radio the more it will learn about your tastes.

Apple iTunes Radio Offers More Streaming and Personalization:

The service will be offered free of charge but will contain advertisements as you listen. For users interested in commercial-free streaming, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will offer iTunes Match at a cost of $24.99 per year.

In addition to the trove of music that the iTunes Store offers, Apple plans to offer exclusives on iTunes Radio including “first listen” premieres, a Twitter trending channel and live streaming of concerts like the iTunes Festival in London.

“iTunes Radio is an incredible way to listen to personalized radio stations which have been created just for you,” said Eddy Cue, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “It’s the music you love most and the music you’re going to love, and you can easily buy it from the iTunes Store with just one click.”

Apple iTunes Radio Integration:

If that isn’t enough to expect from iTunes Radio when it is rolled-out this fall, iTunes Radio will be fully integrated with Siri for iPhone users. According to Apple’s press release….

Let Siri make your listening experience even more fun. Ask Siri “Who plays that song?” or “Play more like this” and Siri will make it happen. Say something like “Play Jazz Radio” or ask for any of your existing favorite stations and genres. Shape your stations by telling Siri what you like and don’t like, or tell Siri to pause, stop or skip. You can also have Siri add songs to your Wish List to download later.

For many this announcement is way overdue. For music lovers, it won’t matter as long as it happens.

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