It’s being confirmed that Apple’s new music service will be called Apple Music, and that it will have an artist-focused social network element.
Calling to mind the failed Ping service, a fresh report claims that artists will have their own profile pages within the new streaming music service. Artists will then be able to post track samples, photos, videos, and concert updates for their fans.
According to 9to5Mac, it will be possible for artists to share and promote such posts from other artists.
What about us poor non-artists? We’ll be able to comment on and like these artist posts, and that’s about it.
If this sounds to you like just about the most irritating feature to appear in a simple music app, then have no fear. Apple is apparently including the ability to disable “Artists Activity” in the Restrictions Settings of iOS 8.4.
Other than this, the new Apple Music (which will also be available on Android) provision is expected to mirror the feature set of Beats Music closely, with many of the same playlist, curation, and organisation features. It’ll just have a snazzy Apple design.
Related: Apple Beats relaunch: The story so far…
Despite this new music service, the report claims that iTunes Match and iTunes Radio will be retained in the new Music app. In fact, iTunes Radio will actually be improved with better mixes and expanded to new territories.
Expect to see Apple Music announced at Apple’s WWDC on June 8.