On the other hand, iOS 9 and iOS 8.4 also take on challenging third-party developers who currently offer apps in 5 thriving app store categories. Many developers behind the apps in these categories are venture-backed and now Apple has become their competitor.

Here are the 5 categories that will be deeply impacted by iOS 9 and iOS 8.4.

Music

Apple Music will be available on June 30 as a part of iOS 8.4 update. The revamped music app on iOS will feature Apple’s latest music streaming service. There are three parts to the new service from Apple.

• It will allow subscribed users to stream and download unlimited songs from iTunes music catalog which boasts more than 30 million songs.
• Beats 1 Radio will be available to all users. No subscription is required to access the live 24/7 global radio.
• Connect will allow users to follow their favourite artists, watch acoustic versions, video rehearsals, music videos, lyrics, photos and much more.

The service will be priced at $9.99 per month and $14.99 per month for family plan.

Apple Music will directly compete with streaming giants like Spotify, SoundCloud, Rdio, iHeart Radio, Pandora Radio, TuneIn Radio, and even Vevo to name a few.

News

iOS 9 will replace Newsstand with all new Apple News app. It allows publishers to create unique experiences by providing engaging content with brilliant typography, animated objects, transitions and more.

Users will be able to find articles and stories relevant to their interest, bookmark and view recommended content. The new app will support iAd advertising for publishers.

News app in iOS 9 will directly compete with Flipboard.

Productivity

In iOS 9 Apple is going after productivity apps that let you take rich notes with the all new Notes app.

The updated app allows you to add photos, scribble on your note, insert checklists, embed links and maps. It also has a new Attachments Browser that “organizes all the items attached to your notes in one simple view, so it’s easy to find what you’re looking for.”

It will also support a share extension so that you can take notes within apps like Safari, Maps, and many more.

Notes in iOS 9 will compete with Evernote, Google News, Feedly, and many more.

Navigation

Apple has been working on transit direction for iOS since a long time. The company is now ready to launch its own transit directions in iOS 9 Maps app. It will feature public transit information with routes and directions.

Since the Maps app works on both iOS and OS X, you’ll be able to plan your trip on the Mac and follow in on the way on your iPhone or iPad. It’s worth noting that Transit will be available only in select cities in the US for the time being,

The new Maps app in iOS 9 with transit information will compete with Moovit.

Health & Fitness

Apple announced its Health app as a part of iOS 8 last year. In iOS 9 the Health is receiving an update to track “Sexual Activity”. In the updated Health app users will be able to record the date and time you had sex and whether you used contraception or not.

With a special focus on women, the Health app will now be able to track menstrual cycles and help in monitoring physical changes.

This update will now put many third-party apps on alert. Some of the apps that help in tracking mensural cycles include Glow, Ovia Fertility, Clue and many more.

{via CB Insights}

On Thursday, CNET reported that Apple is reportedly very close to completing a deal with both Warner Music and Universal Music Group for its rumored iRadio service. Earlier this week, reports suggested that Apple was looking to launch the service as early as this summer, and with new reports of the companies finalizing deals, it appears that the previous rumors may be correct.

With its iRadio service, Apple will reportedly be using a different revenue stream and adding features not seen in other streaming music services such as Spotify and Pandora. Initial reports suggested that negotiations slowed because of Apple’s offering of low royalty which have likely been resolved since then. It is unclear, however, if the record labels settled for a lower rate or if Apple offered a higher rate.

That includes a quick way for consumers to buy a song they hear, potentially boosting download sales from iTunes, as well as a revenue share of new audio ads Apple is planning to add to the free service, according to sources.

The product would be tied to iTunes, and available on mobile devices.

The service, according to sources, most closely resembles Pandora because it doesn’t offer on-demand listening. Apple is building some unique features, such as the ability to jump back to the beginning of a song, according to one person briefed on the company’s plans.

It is possible that Apple would launch the new service at the company’s WWDC conference during the summer. Warner Music and Universal Music Group will be enough for the company to launch the service, however, they will also need to strike a deal with Sony Music Group to get the full library of songs. It is possible for the deals to fall through, with content and royalty rate negotiations still continuing, but with all of these reports, it is all but confirmed that Apple will be launching a streaming music service later this year.

{Via MacRumors}

Online music streaming services such as Spotify, rdio, and Pandora are dominating streaming music space, Apple has been rumored to be working on its own radio service similar to Pandora’s, now being called “iRadio” for lack of a better name. These rumors have been circulating around the web for some weeks now. Now in an interview with AllThingsD, Beats CEO and Interscope Chairman, Jimmy Iovine revealed that he had pitched the idea of a music subscription service to Steve Jobs in 2003.

Iovine was close friends with Jobs, having worked with him on multiple products and promotions with artists such as 50 Cent, Bono of U2, Mick Jagger, and even launching a special iPod for U2. Iovine says he is currently working on a music subscription service, not revealing any specific details about the project or what it is going to consist of.

In 2002, 2003, Doug [Morris, former Universal Music head] asked me to go up to Apple and see Steve. So I met him and we hit it off right away. We were really close. We did some great marketing stuff together: 50 Cent, Bono, Jagger, stuff for the iPod — we did a lot of stuff together.

But I was always trying to push Steve into subscription. And he wasn’t keen on it right away. [Beats co-founder] Luke Wood and I spent about three years trying to talk him into it. He was there, not there … he didn’t want to pay the record companies enough. He felt that they would come down, eventually.

I don’t know what [Apple media head] Eddy Cue would say — I’m seeing him soon — but I think in the end Steve was feeling it, but the economics…he wanted to pay the labels [for subscriptions], but [the fees were] not going to be acceptable to them.

Iovine did reveal that his service would be similar to Pandora, in that it would not provide users access to entire albums and artists as Spotify does and would aggregate music based on user’s preferences. Apple’s “iRadio” is expected to be similar to Iovine’s approach, although it could be possible that Iovine is working with Apple to help create the company’s music subscription service as the two have worked together in the past. Iovine was mentioned several times in Job’s biography, “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson in which Jobs himself talks about his friendship with the Beats Electronics chief.

{Via MacRumors}

Pandora, the popular music recommendation service, may soon have a competing service from Apple Inc. (AAPL) new report claims. On Thursday, The Wall Street Journal reported that AAPL is looking to introduce its own music streaming service, similar to Pandora, adding on to the iTunes structure in both OS X and iOS.

WSJ claims that “people familiar with the matter” suggest that the service would be integrated into Macs, the iPhone and the iPad and perhaps Windows PCs. This would give Apple continuing dominance in the music distribution industry and would help boost iTunes music sales.

Apple only recently initiated licensing negotiations with record labels for its putative service, and even if it does complete deals, it could be a matter of months when such a service might launch, according to these people.

The company has in the past contemplated and abandoned other interactive features, including a Spotify-like service that would have let users rent unlimited amounts of music for a fixed monthly fee. But people familiar with the current talks say they appear to be more serious than those previous tentative inquiries.

As on Pandora, the music would be interspersed with ads, in this case carried by Apple’s iAd platform, which syndicates ads to iPhone and iPad apps.

As with all of Apple’s deals with record labels and movie studios, the Cupertino company would be negotiating all licensing deals with the record labels. According to the report, Apple is still negotiating and likely won’t be unveiling the new service at the iPhone 5 media media event. Following WSJs report on the music service, the NYTimes also published its own report suggesting that there is, in fact, a music service for Apple in the works.

Apple’s service would likely take the form of a pre-installed app on Apple’s devices like iPhones and iPads and might be able to connect to a user’s iTunes account to judge his or her tastes.

A music service tailored specifically to iOS users, and one capable of obtaining a user’s preferences from their music libraries could potentially affect Pandora’s influence in the music market. With a music service, two powerful OS’ and the millions of iOS and Mac products out on the market, this could turn out to be a huge success for Apple.

{via MacRumors, Image Credit: CallingAllGeeks.org}

Music streaming service, Spotify, gained popularity in Europe before debuting in the United States last July, allowing users to stream music from major music labels on their Macs, PC’s, and portable devices. Spotify is one of the first streaming services to combine users music libraries, as well as online streaming and allow them to sync their devices.

Today we’re extremely proud to present our native iPad app in all its green-hued glory. Features include:

– Retina graphics for iPad – dazzling display, razor sharp images, richer colors
– Even easier to browse and explore Spotify’s entire 18 million* song catalogue
– New ‘Now Playing’ full-screen view with high-definition cover art
– Search for playlists, users and music – all from the same view
– Check out what’s hot and find trending playlists & songs amongst your friends
– Inbox grouped by user for easy searching
– Gapless playback and crossfade
– AirPlay integration

Spotify has long been available on the iPhone since its release, operating on a pricing model, as opposed to the free model on the desktop computer. On Tuesday, Spotify announced that their new iPad application is now available in the App Store, utilizing the iPad’s 9.7 inch screen. The app is available via an upgrade to the existing app, which will be downloadable as both an iPad and iPhone app.

Spotify Premium is currently offering a free 48-hour trial for new users , allowing them to extend for up to 30 days if they sign up on the website. Premium users who use the service on the iPad, iPhone, and other mobile devices are the option to sign up for a subscription for $9.99 per month.

{via MacRumors}

One of the largest music streaming giants, Spotify, announced today that they would be debuting their services in the United States. The launch is currently in beat phase and is available as an invite only Free service along-with two paid versions: Unlimited at $4.99/month and Premium at $9.99/month.

Spotify has also released an iPhone app in the App Store for users to take advantage of Spotify’s offerings on their iOS device. However, mobile users must be subscribed to the Premium service in order to use the iPhone app.

During our invite-only beta phase, we’ll be offering three great services – from absolutely free to paid subscriptions. The services we’re launching today are:

– Spotify Free – the unsurpassed free music service. With an invite, enjoy on-demand, buffer-free access to over 15 million songs on your computer and great social features. Manage your own music files through Spotify, and sync with your cellphone or iPod. Features occasional advertising.

– Spotify Unlimited – all the special features of our free service, but with uninterrupted, ad-free access to Spotify on your computer. All for only $4.99 a month.

– Spotify Premium – the top-of-the-range Spotify experience. Premium gives you access to all the music, all the time. Listen online or offline, on your computer, your cellphone and a whole heap of other devices. Enjoy enhanced sound quality and access to exclusive content, competitions and special offers. Premium costs just $9.99 a month. (That’s the equivalent of a couple of fancy coffees.)

Spotify’s debut in the United States is backed by ad partners including Coca-Cola/Sprite, Chevrolet, Motorola, Reebok and Sonos who are developing specific ads for the service. Spotify has seen much success in Europe and is going to get the chance to establish itself in the US and possibly compete with other music giants such as Napster, iTunes, and Pandora.

{via MacRumors}

Spotify is finally coming to the United States and has already started accpeting signups for invites in the US. Visitors in the U.S. are now redirected to a signup page where you can enter an email address to be one of the first to receive an invite.

The Sweden-based streaming music service allows users to listen to any music that the company has licensed. Apple’s iTunes on the other hand only allows users to listen to music that they have purchased from the iTunes Store or other sources.

There are free subscriptions in Spotify that are limited by hours of listening time, similiar to Pandora. Then, there are paid subscriptions that offer features such as offline mode, the ability to download songs to iPods and more. Subscription fees range from €5 to €10 per month.

Spotify has been growing steadily since it’s introduction and it will be interesting to see it’s adoption rate in the United States.

Will you sign up for Spotify when it releases? Are you going to be using the service if an app comes to iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch? Sound off in the comments below!

{via MacRumors}

Spotify is one of Europe’s best kept secrets. Currently unavailable to the throngs of US based would-be users, Spotify is an online music streaming service complete with native applications for Mac and PC as well as mobile devices running iOS or Android. A Windows Phone 7 version of the Spotify client is also in the works.

What makes Spotify so special is its huge music library. Featuring ‘millions of tracks’ Spotify offers both a free service and a pair paid-for options. The differences between the accounts are subtle, but at £9.99p/m their unlimited account is the one to go for if you’re even remotely into your music.

What really took Spotify to the next level was the release of its iOS client, bringing streaming music to the millions of iPhones and iPod touches sold in Europe. The inclusion of multitasking support by Apple and the subsequent app update just solidified Spotify’s position as the iPod replacement application for many, and life was good.

But there’s a problem. The advent of Apple’s AirPlay infrastructure means many Spotify users (including yours truly) are using iDevices as a way to throw music to an Apple TV for playback through fancy speaker systems. Opening a whole new market for Spotify – adding people who don’t use headphones or docks to the company’s demographic – the addition of AirPlay once again takes Spotify into the realm of the must-have app. But the iPhone’s screen is small – not brilliant for browsing music with colourful cover art and long playlists. We need an iPad app – but we don’t have one. Yet.

According to a tweet by the @Spotify Twitter account, we might not be waiting for long.

Bringing Spotify to the iPad and it’s large screen could open up a whole new interface for the application – larger album art, better use of playlists, more social interaction etc.

Let’s just hope we won’t be ‘watching this space’ for too long!

{Source: Razorianfly}

Spotify’s latest self-imposed deadline is the end of this year. Managers of the service say that before the year ends, they’ll finally have licensing deals in place with four largest record labels: Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and EMI Music. Despite these plans, several music industry sources say that that the service is facing an assortment of obstacles, and that there is little chance that it will arrive in the U.S. by December 31st.

One of their obstacles is rumoured to be Apple: some believe that the computer giant is worried what effect the free music service will have on its already flattening music sales through iTunes, despite it being the largest digital music store in the country. CNET reports that Apple execs have warned music labels at a meeting in Los Angeles that “they had serious doubts about whether Spotify’s business model could ever generate significant revenues of profits.”

The Cupertino company could also be worried that Spotify will affect the success of the cloud-based subscription service they are supposedly planning to launch. Plans for this service have been backed up by the giant data-centre Apple is currently building in North Corolina.

Apple may have reason to be worried, however: Spotify is already a huge hit in many parts of the world, and the €10 its customers pay each month for the premium service isn’t very expensive. The service also boasts a social aspect, which is way ahead of Apple’s Ping – the main reason being that you can listen in full, for free, to any song a friend shares with you.
Whether Spotify succeeds in the U.S. or not, it will be damaging to iTunes: if the service is a huge success, it’s competition – if it’s a major flop, Apple will have trouble convincing the record labels to sign up to its own streaming service.