Apple Transforming Beats Music into Spotify Killer

beats-plus-itunesApple is actively working with Beats Music to create a completely new paid-for streaming music service that will see the company compete with existing platforms like Spotify and Rdio.

The currently unnamed service will be entirely designed by Apple but will leverage Beats technology and musical content, which is understood to have led to personnel challenges and delays.

According to reports by 9to5Mac, Apple has elected to deeply integrate Beats into iOS, iTunes and the Apple TV system, rather than simply installing the existing Beats Music app onto iPhones. The Music app on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, as well as future iTunes applications will all include elements of Beats.

Utilising cloud-based streaming, the new service will centre on users existing music libraries, as well as enabling users to search for any song within the iTunes or Beats catalogue to stream or download. Songs can be stored in the cloud, or on specific devices.

Beats Musics Playlists, Activities and Mixes features will also be integrated, enabling users to access playlists curated by other users, as well as engage in social network-style following and messaging.

The service, while not free, is likely to be cheaper than Beats Musics current price of $9.99 (£6.57) a month, or $99.99 a year. Spotify Premium, Rdio Premium and Google Play Music all also cost $9.99 a month, so consumers seeking the cheapest service may well migrate to Apples new service.

The new streaming service will also be available on Android, marking the first time that Apple have developed an app for the rival platform entirely in-house. While Beats Music is still available in the Google Play Store, it is a holdover from when Beats was still an independent company.

While Apple executives are no doubt keen to get the new service up and running, clashes with Beats Music staff have reportedly plagued the project with both sides upset over the others inclusion. While a launch in March was originally planned, its now much more likely to occur at Apples Worldwide Developers Conference in June.