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Kanye West reportedly quits Tidal over money dispute
Kanye West has been one of Tidal's biggest champions: he joined the company the moment Jay-Z relaunched its service, and The Life of Pablo was one of the streaming music service's largest (if temporary) exclusives. However, it appears that the relationship has... soured. TMZ sources claim that Kanye has left the company over a payment squabble involving both Life of Pablo and music videos. It's reportedly a messy dispute, and certainly not what Tidal wanted in an already tumultuous period for the business.
Apple Music's latest personalized playlist helps you chill
Ever since Apple Music got its big redesign last year, you've had access to just two personalized playlists: a favorites mix and a new releases mix. Suffice it to say that this won't cover the bases if you want tunes that suit a specific mood. However, Apple is spreading its wings a bit: it's gradually rolling out its first new custom playlist. The weekly My Chill Mix uses a combination of human curation and an algorithm to deliver songs that help you relax, but also reflect your tastes. You could have a laid-back hip-hop selection, for instance, while your friend gets downtempo electronic tracks.
Apple eyes streaming terms on par with Spotify's label deals
Apple's iTunes and Apple Music agreements with record labels' are set to expire at the end of the month and both sides have been negotiating new terms. Today, Bloomberg reports that Apple is looking to reduce record labels' share of streaming revenue.
Samsung exclusives are the last thing Google Play Music needs
Back in April, Samsung used the launch of its excellent Galaxy S8 smartphone to make a small but important announcement about a partnership with Google. Google Play Music would be the default music player on all Samsung smartphones, and Google would develop exclusive features for the company's devices. That's good for Samsung and its customers: Now the company isn't wasting time building apps nobody wants that simply duplicate ones that Android already has. And it's a win for Google, whose music service is now the default on this top-selling Android phone. But we're now seeing the first signs that deal is going to be a bummer for everyone else using Play Music. Some enterprising Reddit users noticed a new Samsung-exclusive feature called New Release Radio: a personalized station that surfaces new songs every day. It's similar to Spotify's extremely popular Discover Weekly playlist and Apple Music's customized New Music Mix (also updated every Friday). But at least to start, this station appears to be exclusive to Samsung users. (We've reached out to Samsung and Google for comment on this, but neither company has responded yet.)
Apple hires the executives who brought 'Breaking Bad' to Sony
Apple's push into television has been given a massive boost after the company announced it has hired two of the industry's biggest executives. Former Sony Pictures Television presidents Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg have jumped ship to lead Apple's video programming division and will report directly to SVP of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue.
Apple Music's 'Planet of the Apps' reality show debuts tonight
One extra treat from Apple's developer event is apparently the debut of its new original TV show. Launching tonight at midnight ET on Apple Music, Planet of the Apps will follow developers as they first present ideas to a celebrity panel of advisors, then develop the idea and prepare a pitch for investors from Lightspeed Venture Partners. The Shark Tank/The Voice-style celebrity panel will consist of Gary Vaynerchuck, Will.i.am, Jessica Alba and Gwyneth Paltrow. The series full 10 episode run will be exclusive to Apple Music, but Reuters reports that the first episode will be available for free via iTunes and the show's website.
Apple Music will keep tabs on your friends' listening habits
Thanks to a Bloomberg interview with Apple Music head Jimmy Iovine back in April, we thought WWDC updates for the app could focus on video. During today's keynote, the company gave us a brief rundown of a couple changes we can expect for the service. The big update wasn't video-focused, though; instead, the main news here is the ability to see what your friends are listening to inside Apple Music.
Apple Music-exclusive 'Carpool Karaoke' arrives August 8th
Fans of Late Late Night's "Carpool Karaoke" have a lot to look forward to. Apple's newly-acquired exclusive series has been planned for a while now (though it's already been delayed ), and will include celebrities like Ariana Grande, Will Smith, Alicia Keys and Metallica. Even with the possibility that Corden may not host, the fun-filled, joyous tone of the show shines through in the first trailer. Today, Apple's own senior vice president of Internet Software and Services, Eddy Cue, tweeted that the show's popular sing-along musical series will show up August 8th on Apple Music.
Apple Music's new film chronicles Bad Boy's hip hop legacy
Apple Music's latest documentary is all about Sean "Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Records. From the looks of the trailer below, it will chronicle the label's ascent and downfall -- in many ways, mirroring Combs's career -- and will of course touch on the death of Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace. Last night at the Billboard Music Awards, Diddy debuted the trailer and spoke a bit about Biggie's legacy. Can't Stop, Won't Stop: A Bad Boy Story comes from Live Nation Productions, an offshoot of the concert-promoter/ticket-seller/venue-owner amalgam.
Apple Music trial is no longer free in some countries
Apple Music has adjusted its free trial in some countries, and we don't quite know why. In order to land your three-month trial in Australia, Spain and Switzerland, you'll be charged around 99 cents. We're looking into how widespread the new charges are, but for now, the trials remain free in most countries, including the UK, Canada and the US.
Apple is bringing iTunes to the Windows Store
Now, here's something you probably weren't expecting: Apple is bringing iTunes to the Windows Store. You'll no longer have to download a conventional desktop app just to play Apple Music or sync your iPhone. It's not certain how the Store version will differ from the regular Windows app (if at all), but it's more the presence itself that matters: You won't have to forego Apple's ecosystem if you're using Windows 10 S. If nothing else, this puts iTunes in front of users who otherwise wouldn't see it. There's no mention of a release date, so it may be a while before you can check this out firsthand. Click here to catch up on the latest news from Microsoft Build 2017.
Apple Music's new documentary shows Harry Styles getting a haircut
Boy-band heartthrob Harry Styles is the latest artist to get the Apple Music documentary treatment -- Harry Styles: Behind the Album lands on May 15th exclusively on Apple Music. The doc follows Styles, a former member of the British pop group One Direction, as he puts together his debut solo album (and gets at least one major haircut).
A 'Purple Rain' concert film may be the next streaming exclusive
The Prince estate is trying to interest a major music streaming service in the exclusive rights to an unreleased concert film. It was recorded in a Minneapolis nightclub just prior to, and containing songs from, his 1984 movie Purple Rain. There's additional footage on the table, too -- enough to make a documentary about the filmed show. The potentially multimillion-dollar deal hasn't been finalized, but the estate is shopping the goods around to non-Spotify streaming providers like Apple Music, according to Billboard.
Apple Music clips are the new stars of Musical.ly videos
Part creation tool, part social network, the popular Musical.ly app lets users make and share their own music videos using segments of songs. Thanks to a new deal with Apple, the service's users will be able to add songs from the vast Apple Music library to their latest masterpieces.
Apple Music redesign will put video in the spotlight
We know all about Apple's plans for Planet of the Apps and Carpool Karaoke, but it looks like the company has bigger things in mind for its music-focused series. Bloomberg reports an Apple Music redesign will accompany the next version of iOS we're likely to hear about at WWDC in June. The new look is said to do a better job of showing off video, a format Apple has big plans for moving forward.
Streaming is boosting the music industry worldwide
The music industry has struggled to adapt to the digital world over the past couple of decades, but it might just be hitting its stride again. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) has published its annual Global Music Report for 2016, and it notes that music revenue increased 5.9 percent -- that may not sound like much, but it's the best since the IFPI started its tracking in 1997. And not surprisingly, streaming music played a large role. On-demand listening revenue shot up a whopping 60.4 percent, more than making up for steep drops in downloads (down 20.5 percent) and physical copies (down 7.6 percent). As is often the case, though, the industry is quick to blame 'rogue' internet elements for limiting the growth that could take place.
Apple Music delays its 'Carpool Karaoke' series
Apple had indicated that its first video series for Apple Music would arrive in April, but we're almost into May and Carpool Karaoke is nowhere to be found. According to Reuters, a March premiere party was postponed 'days' before it was going to take place, and then a launch party scheduled for tonight was also canceled. Now, both Apple and CBS are merely saying the Late Late Show spin-off will premiere "later this year." Of course, even if it gets pushed back, subscribers always have Planet of the Apps to uh... look forward to.
'Up Next' is an Apple Music series highlighting new artists
Apparently Apple's Clive Davis documentary isn't the only music-related news from the tech juggernaut today. Apple Music has a new monthly feature series called Up Next as well. As the name suggests, it focuses on up-and-coming artists. The first installment looks at Atlanta rapper 6LACK (pronounced "black") with a mini-documentary, a spotlight on his latest album, a live performance and an interview with Beats 1 DJ Zane Lowe (above) in addition to a few playlists. Like 9to5Mac noticed, the performance being named "Up Next Sessions" suggests we might see more of the live videos.
Apple Music's next exclusive is a Clive Davis documentary
Apple Music's next documentary focuses on music industry legend Clive Davis. Last night at the annual Tribeca Film Festival, it was announced that Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives would be exclusive to Apple's music-streaming service. That report comes via Deadline. While Davis' name might be unfamiliar, his influence has been felt throughout the music industry for some 50 years. Davis is responsible for signing Bruce Springsteen; Carlos Santana (above); Earth, Wind & Fire and Alicia Keys in addition to cofounding Sean "Puffy" Combs' Bad Boy Records among many, many other accomplishments. For more on his career, be sure to check out New York Times' recent interview with Davis.
Spin your yacht rock playlist from Spotify in Facebook Messenger
If you want to listen to Run the Jewels in Facebook Messenger, you'll totally be able to do that. From the F8 stage, Facebook's David Marcus announced that soon you'll be able to share tracks from both Apple Music and Spotify within the app -- all without the need to have either of the music streaming services installed on your phone. Marcus' example? RTJ's ode to El-P's and Killer Mike's significant others, "Stay Gold" from Run the Jewels 3.
