Apple will include its recently acquired Beats Music streaming service on all new iPhones and iPads, in an attempt to take the fight to key rivals such as Google Play Music All Access and Spotify.
Inside sources, speaking anonymously with the Financial Times, claim that Apple will start bundling Beats with iOS products as soon as March 2015. That suggests any launch could tie in with the on–sale date of the Apple Watch, which is mooted for roughly the same time.
Although users will still need to pay a monthly fee to stream music, the move means users won’t have to go through the process of downloading their chosen streaming app in order to listen to their favourite tunes.
Previous rumours have suggested that Apple will co–opt Beats Music into a wide–ranging iTunes update. Engineers who used to work on Beats have apparently begun working as part of the iTunes team at Apple’s HQ in California.
That means that any streaming platform could form part of the native Music app on iPhones and iPads in the future. Apple has refused to comment on the speculation.