Apple has been rumored to be readying a Pandora-like web streaming music service for its iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and iCloud users, but has faced several delays. Most recently it was reported that Apple and record labels were bumping heads because Apple was only offering to pay $0.06 per 100 songs streamed to its users, while Pandora was paying record companies $0.12 per 100 songs streamed. Spotify reportedly pays record labels $0.36 per 100 songs streamed. It appears that Apple has made more progress with two record companies in particular, Universal and Warner.
A source recently told the Verge:
"Significant progress has been made in the talks with two of the top labels: Universal and Warner. One of the sources said 'iRadio is coming. There's no doubt about it anymore.' Apple is pushing hard for a summertime launch."
If the rumor is true we should expect the see iRadio debut alongside the iPhone 5S this summer. The iPhone 5S is expected to launch sometime this summer as well, a launch of the service at the iPhone 5S unveiling should be expected.
There is already code in iOS 6 that indicates Apple plans on supporting the service in the near future. "Radio Buy" user interface buttons were uncovered in the iOS 6.1 Apple released. The service is expected to work very similar to Pandora and offer iOS users one-click "buy buttons" for songs they're currently listening to, there are more features expected to separate itself from Pandora, it is not yet known what these features could be. Apple could hold the service back so it has even more features to announce with the iPhone 5S, since the smartphone is believed to feature no change in external design, but internal upgrades. New features expected are upgraded camera, processor, RAM, and a rumored 'killer feature' Apple is reportedly planning that will put the Samsung Galaxy S4 to shame. I highly doubt iRadio is that killer feature, but we'll know more the closer we get to June.
