Apple unveils Music: a subscription service to take on Spotify

Apple announced its subscription-based Music service at the World Wide Developers Conference overnight. With features blending Spotify-like music streaming with human DJ curation, Apple Music may reshape the music landscape much as the iPod once did.

An interesting aspect of Apple Music is that you’ll be able to store all your music, including iTunes purchases and personally ripped albums in the cloud. There’s an overlap here with Apple Match.

Streamlined streaming

Apple Music’s features echo much of what other streaming services provide, but Apple has packaged the offering in a way that aims to make streaming more accessible. Just as the iPod revolutionised MP3s, Apple hopes its Music service will make streaming the new mainstream.

The service will be available in New Zealand and globally on June 30.

Competitive pricing with a family-friendly option

Apple has priced its US subscription at $10 per month for individual users. A family plan costs $15 and supports up to six accounts. This family package gives Apple a competitive edge over rivals, especially since no free tier is available—only a three-month trial period.

New Zealand pricing hasn’t been confirmed yet. At the current exchange rate, $10 USD roughly converts to NZ$14. With GST added, the likely subscription cost will be around NZ$16. While reasonable for unlimited music, it may face competition: Spotify’s ad-supported free tier and $13 premium option in New Zealand set a benchmark.

Why this, why now?

As digital music downloads decline, streaming has become the primary growth area, putting pressure on Apple’s traditional iTunes model.

With Spotify’s massive user base and a shifting market, Apple Music aims to regain the lead by leveraging Apple’s global reach and iOS integration. Apple Music’s availability on Android—a first for Apple—signals a strategic move to capture as broad a user base as possible.

Once Apple Music launches, users will get a clearer view of its value. Apple has the potential to disrupt the music business by leveraging its ecosystem of iPhones, iPods and iTunes. If Apple Music can match Spotify’s price with a superior experience, it could win over millions and reshape the music streaming market.