In June, Apple launched its music streaming service called Apple Music. Apple Music service was launched following a $3 Billion dollar acquisition of Beats Electronics, the manufacturer of the Beats By Dre headsets, which also had a music streaming service called Beats Music. Apple had also previously tried its hand in the music streaming business with the launch of the itunes radio service, which failed to pick up traction.
The service has however been able to lock in 11 million users in the its first month of existence, including here at Techweez. Most of the customers are yet to begin paying for the services as most of them are enjoying the three month trial period. On the payment front, Apple offers various packages including the family-share option for just $14.99 for upto 6 members. Ideally, you could decide to take up the service for just $ 9.99. In Kenya, you are billed just $4.99 monthly if you have an individual account subscription. You’ll pay $7.99 if you opt to go for an account that you can share with your friends and family (up to 6 of them). Even with its 11 million users, Apple is still dwarfing Spotify, which boasts of 75 million active users and 20 million paying for the premium service.
Apple is making a huge bet on its streaming business which includes availing the service on all platforms of note namely Windows and Android. Windows is the most popular desktop operating system in the world and Android is the most widely used mobile operating system in the world. Interestingly, Bloomberg quotes a Bank of America Merrily Lynch report that the service will not directly impact Apple’s revenues anytime soon. So, hold your breath till September 30th then, we can now if in deed Apple will rock it in streaming.
