As you may be aware, Apple kicked off the summer edition of their World Wide Developers Conference in a grandiose fashion, touting their upcoming new products (Apple Music!), amenities (public transportation directions! Improved multitasking!) and software (El Capitan! iOS 50-11!), and bringing out some of their newest acquisitions to speak on the products that will ultimately own the masters to your soul.
In between extensively detailing their operating systems (which will arrive in the Fall of 2015), the house that Steve Jobs build formally introduced their new music streaming service as one part 24/7 streaming radio (with the likes of Zane Lowe and Hot 97’s Ebro among its flagship deejays), one part Spotify (minus the “free” part) and one part social media integration. After Jimmy Iovine – who left Interscope Records for Apple after he and D. Dre sold their Beats brand to the company for $3 billion – stumbled through his speech about trying to make the music world a better and more interactive place, Drake – fresh from tearing down Governors Ball – appeared on stage to reveal that his new album, the highly-anticipated Views From The 6, will be promoted through Apple Music’s new “Connect” feature. Whether or not that means that the album will randomly pop up on your phone a la U2’s last project remains to be seen. I’d totally be here for that, however.
Then The Weeknd popped up to perform “Can’t Feel My Face” to close out the keynote address. Like, okay.
Apple Music debuts on June 30th, with a free 3-month trial period for users before charging either $9.99 for individuals or $14.99 for families up to six people. Needless to say, I’m going to have to pretend to be best buds with someone to be one of their “Fave Five” to swindle me an account. Anyways, watch a video of Apple explaining Apple Music’s services, which – oddly enough – started right after Drake’s mini-speech.
