Rumor – Apple Negotiating iRadio Catalogs

Will they? Won't they? We've gone back and forth for nearly a year now, talking about whether Apple plans on launching a music streaming service. As far back as iOS 5, we were hearing rumors that the iPad maker was looking to compete with the likes of Pandora and Spotify.

Today is no different. Research analyst Richard Greenfield with BTIG just published his predictions for 2013 and top on the list was Apple's upcoming launch of what he calls, "iRadio".

"We expect iRadio to be incorporated into the iTunes iOS app with personalized radio functionality akin to Pandora," said Greenfield in his report. "We believe Apple is negotiating direct deals with music labels to offer a far more robust service than current digital radio services that rely on compulsory licenses."

Greenfield describes his idea of iRadio as including integration with iTunes to purchase music, plus the ability to buy concert tickets and other merchandise via integrated Live Nation and Ticketmaster services.

"iRadio will not only be a global solution, but will include increased skips per hour and extended caching for offline playback," said Greenfield. He doesn't believe that the premier version of iRadio will include a subscription-based music streaming service like Spotify, but that it will later be incorporated into the application.

If this rumor turns out to be true, it is likely we will see some form of it in iOS 7.

[Via: MacDailyNews]

iPad Mini in Short Supply Until 2013

If fourth quarter results come in lower than expected for iPad minis, don't be surprised. It isn't because of lack of interest in the smaller sized tablet. The problem lies in supplies. According to DigiTimes, Apple can't get units on store shelves fast enough because of issues with mass production of display panels and supply shortages of backlight modules for both the iPad mini and the upcoming iMac models.

Unnamed sources told DigiTimes that AU Optronics, one of Apple's display providers, is "having mass production issues." As a result, overall shipment of the manufacturer's iPad mini parts has dropped to approximately 22 percent, down from its original target of 40 percent.

"Mass production of panels used in the iPad mini has reportedly suffered low yield rates, and backlight module providers have also had a shortage of supplies, which is affecting the amount of iPad minis that can be shipped in 2012, said the sources."

According to DigiTimes, Apple set a 10 million shipment target for the fourth quarter of 2012, but due to these shortages may only be able to reach six million by the end of the time frame.

The same report also mentioned that LG Display, one of Apple's supply partners for the upcoming iMacs, is having mass production issues of their own and just doesn't have enough space to meet demand. This may be the cause of the late launch of the 21.5 and 27-inch desktop computers. Apple announced that the new iMacs would be available "in November." However, they are still not available for sale. Apple just announced yesterday that the 21.5-inch model will be available on Nov. 30, but the 27-inch iMac is listed as "Coming in December."

No related posts.