Wednesday, Sept. 30- Apple is serious about extending its reach to China. Shortly after including the country in the opening sales for the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus, the company has brought its three-month-old music streaming service and other products to China. The country is seen as the tech major's most important market outside of the U.S.
According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple Music will be available for a free trial which will last for three months. After the trial period, the streaming service will charge 10 yuan, or $1.57, every month. The fee is much less than that of the $10 to $14 paid for the service by users in the U.S. Apple Music in China will carry tracks from Chinese artists like Li Ronghao, among other names. The music streaming service carries international artists as well.
Apart from the music streaming service, Apple also brings in movies and electronic books to the country. These additions make a promising new library of content for the Chinese market. Users in the country will now be able to rent movies at an affordable 5 yuan rate. Movies come in both English and Chinese languages and titles. Electronic books can also be availed, and titles include popular international best-sellers, like Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, as well as books from local authors.
"For the first time, customers in China will have access to Apple's entertainment ecosystem with music, movies and books right at their fingertips," the Cupertino-based company said on Wednesday. Chinese users with international Apple IDs are able to access Apple's entertainment services, but users with local Chinese IDs are unable to access songs and albums.
Apple has just sold a record 13 million iPhone units last weekend and China has been reported to account for 2 million units in sales. Reports say that the iPhone 6S has sold out in the country. Now, with the music streaming service being offered in the country, the U.S. company will find itself competing not only with popular mobile startups (which have also been performing well in the international scene) but also with local music streaming services which offer the service for free. Let's see how Apple fares.
