Apple has reportedly signed its first major music streaming deal since launching Apple Music in 2015.
Sources “familiar with the matter” say it has signed a new, cut-rate agreement with Warner Music Group, and is on the verge of reaching a similar deal with Sony Music Entertainment.
Apple has released two new trailers showing a preview of next week’s episodes of Carpool Karaoke: The Series.
One ad shows the pairing of Michael Strahan and Jeff Gordon as they sing songs like the 1980s classic “Physical” by Olivia Newton-John. The other depicts what may be the most fun oddball pairing so far as Shaquille O’Neal goes on a drive with one of WWE’s most popular wrestlers — and his name is John Cena.
Check out the ads below.
If you’re a student in the U.S., you can now get Amazon’s Music Unlimited service for the same subscription price as Apple Music — thanks to Amazon slicing its fees.
Students who aren’t subscribed to Amazon Prime can get Amazon Music Unlimited for $4.99, the same amount that Apple charges. For Prime subscribing students, a six month subscription meanwhile costs just $6!
To mark the release of two new episodes of Carpool Karaoke: The Series, Apple has released trailers showing what viewers can expect from next week’s installments. The episodes in question will pair Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith, and Miley Cyrus and the rest of the Cyrus clan.
Check the ads out below.
The latest iOS 11 beta just revealed what it will be like to set up a HomePod, Apple’s new smart speaker coming later this year.
Pairing HomePod with your iPhone will be quite similar to the AirPods setup routine, based on leaked screenshots of the process. If the leak is accurate, you’ll only be able to set up the speaker using an iPhone or iPad.
Apple may be planning to spend a massive $1 billion on acquiring and producing original video content in 2018, but according to Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s 2018 spend will dwarf Apple’s — with plans to shell out enormous $7 billion on content in the next year.
Apple is reportedly preparing a $1 billion “war chest” which it will spend on acquiring or producing original content over the next year.
That sum is around half of what HBO spent on production last year. The jewel in HBO’s crown is Game of Thrones, which it has aired since 2011. Apple SVP Eddy Cue is reportedly aiming for Apple to offer up to ten new shows, which could rival Game of Thrones in scope.
Apple has hired former WGN America and Tribune Studios chief Matt Cherniss as it looks to bolster its original video efforts.
Cherniss will reportedly oversee the company’s new worldwide video unit, serving under Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht, the former presidents of Sony Pictures Television, who joined Apple back in June.
Apple’s new Carpool Karaoke series may not have found favor with critics, but it’s still stuffed full of musical celebrities — ranging from Metallica to Ariana Grande to Will Smith.
One name you might not find among them, however, is Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington — who recorded an episode of the show last month, just six days before his untimely death at the age of 41. However, according to Apple it might not run.
Apple is 0-2 when it comes to critical acclaim for its original series, after early reviews for its Carpool Karaoke spinoff show have been largely negative. The show debuted this week for Apple Music subscribers.
While it’s still early days for Apple’s original content, between this and Planet of the Apps, things aren’t exactly looking good!
Carpool Karaoke, Apple’s second television series, is now available for Apple Music subscribers. Building on the Late Late Show format established by James Corden, the show features a variety of celebrities driving in a car, singing hit songs.
This coming Tuesday Apple is set to debut its newest original TV show Carpool Karaoke: The Series, but with Planet of the Apps being such a dud, some of us at Cult of Mac are questioning whether Apple has anything to gain by making mediocre TV shows.
During Apple’s Q3 earnings call this week, Tim Cook said Apple will continue to explore original content for Apple Music. Can Apple actually make great TV shows, or is it losing focus on what’s more important?
Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight as we discuss Apple’s media ambitions:
The official debut of Carpool Karaoke: The Series is just a few days away but music fans can get an early taste of episode one in the latest ad released by Apple.
Will Smith will be the first guest on the new show with creator James Corden singing along behind the wheel. Apple’s teaser for the episode shows The Fresh Prince busting out some of his classic songs along with getting down to other artists like R. Kelly.
Check it out:
Services have become such an important revenue stream for Apple in recent years that the company decided to update its official business strategy today reflect its expanding money making machine.
In a filing with the SEC, Apple made a couple of changes to the description of its business. It’s the first time a major change has been made to the strategy since around 2014.
Spotify has extended its lead on Apple Music when it comes to paid subscribers, according to a new report that claims the streaming music service has broken the 60 million threshold.
Apple shows off the celebrity pairings that will rev up Carpool Karaoke in a new spot for the upcoming show.
The first star-studded episode premieres on Apple Music on August 8. But you can get a preview of the sing-along show in the trailer below.
Apple is set to unveil its latest earnings report on Tuesday, and Wall Street analysts predict it will probably be the most boring earnings call of 2017.
This will likely be Apple’s last public announcement before it unveils the next generation of iPhones. Apple CEO Tim Cook might drop some hints on what to expect, and when, as investors look forward to Apple’s next big blockbuster quarter. As usual, Cult of Mac will be here liveblogging the entire event with all the analysis and wit we can muster.
Watch for these five things during the call:
Capo touch is the iOS version of Capo, an amazing Mac app that lets you slice and dice a song, slowing it down so you can learn it on guitar or another instrument.
Developer SuperMegaUltraGroovy added some great new features to Capo touch version 2.5. If you’re a long-time user, you’ll appreciate the interface tweaks, the Apple Music support and the new audio-scrubbing engine. If you never used Capo, and you play a guitar, you should buy Capo touch right now.
Country music fans can take a motorcycle ride through the heart of rural America with singer Brantley Gilbert in the latest ad for Apple Music.
Apple released its new ad today that showcases Gilbert’s love for small towns and Harleys while also promoting the companies music streaming service. The minute long ad features songs from Gilbert, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Born to Be Wild. But for those that hate country, Brantley tosses some Kendrick Lamar into the mix too.
Check it out:
If you’ve decided to choose Google Play Music over Apple Music, you’ll be pleased to know the service is now compatible with CarPlay. Simply update to the latest version of the app on your iPhone and you’re good to go.
Whether you need some new tunes for a summer road trip or an iPad to take along to the beach, it’s a good time for Apple deals. This week, get an Apple Music trial subscription for free, the lowest price ever on an iPad Pro and more.
You can now pay for App Store, iTunes, and Apple Music purchases using PayPal.
The new payment option is already available in Canada and Mexico, and will make its way to the U.S. and other countries “soon.”
Jay-Z’s latest album is now available on Apple Music and iTunes. Tidal, the rap star’s own music streaming service, had exclusivity over 4:44 at launch — but that lasted just one week.
It’s not good news for Spotify subscribers, however.
Apple Music users can now enjoy the official music video to The Story of O.J., a new track from Jay-Z’s recently-released 4:44 album.
Sadly, there’s no sign of the complete album just yet.
Electric guitar fans can listen to Apple Music playlists from Fender, maker of some of the world’s most iconic axes.
Five new playlists emerged from the new Fender/Apple Music partnership. While rock ‘n’ roll might be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Fender, the company is also highlighting how its instruments have been used in R&B, hip-hop, jazz and other genres.
