Apple Will Soon Launch Its Music Streaming Service, Already Negotiates With Labels

Yesterday Reuters reported Apple is ready to launch its long-rumored cloud-based music streaming service. The publication cites three anonymous sources who also have details on how it will work.

"Apple's plans will allow iTunes customers to store their songs on a remote server, and then access them from wherever they have an Internet connection, said two of these people who asked not to be named as the talks are still confidential".

While Reuters claims Apple doesn't have licensing agreements signed with the record labels, All Things Digital journalist Peter Kafka found that the company has already signed licenses with at least 2 of 4 major labels, which include Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group, EMI and Sony, within the last 2 months. Remaining deals may be solidified this week by Apple VP Eddy Cue.

"They’ve been very aggressive and thoughtful about it. It feels like they want to go pretty soon.”

Kafka also compared Apple's streaming service with Amazon's digital music locker, which was recently launched without signing licensing agreements with the labels.

"Amazon’s service does the same thing, but label executives have argued that a license would allow Apple [...] to create a more “robust service” with better user interfaces, sound quality, and other features."

Two months ago The Wall Street Journal revealed Apple will propose an enhanced version of MobileMe cloud-based service, which will include a digital "locker" service for keeping personal files and media content.

As you may remember, in 2009 Apple bought Lala, which was a streaming music service, for $85 million. Later it was shuttered, which allows to suggest its technology will eventually be used in the company's new streaming service.

Google also works on a similar service, but the company repeatedly changes its mind, which may be caused by recent changes in personnel (Larry Page had recently taken over for former CEO Eric Schmidt). Originally it was Google's idea to create cloud-based 'iTunes-like store'.