Tech Watch: Apple's New Cloud-Music Service Making Progress
(KCBS) - Apple has reportedly signed a licensing deal with a second of the four major record labels over a cloud-music service.
CNET is reporting that EMI follows Warner Music in reaching deals and Apple could wrap up talks with both Sony and Universal as early as next week.
Amazon and Google already released their cloud music services without the blessing of the record companies.
"Apple is playing ball with the labels that were the first to warm up to the whole idea of digital music and they did it with Apple. They have a strong relationship with the labels so they can't afford to break it," CNET Editor-at-Large Brian Cooley explained.
Cooley speculated that Apple will announce the new service on June 6th and said they may offer a "scan and match service." This is where Apple's software will look at your hardware and find all your mp3 files. Then they'll give you access to this via the Internet without you having to upload all your music files.
Amazon and Google require that you physically upload all your music to their service and then use it.
"Apple may cost more but it'll be more elegant. Amazon and Google will be cheaper but more DIY, " Cooley said.
People may have already begun experimenting with the Amazon and Google but Cooley doesn't believe this is what forced Apple to move on getting this service out.
"I don't think much forces Apple to move. They've been working on this for a while. If anything, Apple is forcing Google and Amazon's hand to get theirs on the market before Apple."
You can hear his Tech Watch report Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:50 P.M. on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM.
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