Apple music service includes some free features

Apple may still want to include some free parts in its as-yet unreleased music streaming service. For example, the company wants a free trial period and users should be able to listen to music that they have uploaded themselves for free.

Whether the free features will actually end up in Apple’s music streaming service depends on negotiations that are still being conducted with record labels. That is what Re/code states on the basis of its usually reliable sources. In order to encourage people to take out a subscription, a number of free components should be built in. First of all, Apple would like to introduce a free trial period, where users can use the full music streaming service for one to three months. The exact trial period still depends on the negotiations, according to Re/code.

In addition, Apple is thinking of uploading its own music, similar to Soundcloud. Users would then be able to listen to this without having to take out a paid subscription. Finally, Apple is looking at expanding iTunes Radio: for example, human DJs should put together playlists that users can listen to for free, probably with advertisements. Currently, iTunes Radio only contains computer-generated playlists.

There have been rumors for a long time about Apple’s own music streaming service. Previously, the company took over Beats, which already had such a service with Beats Music. However, Apple is struggling with difficult discussions with record labels: they would like to see a higher price than what the Cupertino company has in mind. At the same time, Apple wants the record labels to stop licensing free music streaming services, such as Spotify’s. Earlier this week, it was rumored that ongoing negotiations may not launch the service in time: Apple has yet to sign contracts with several major labels. The release is currently scheduled for next month.