Apple Music: Everything You Need to Know About the Launch
Apple's music streaming service will make its debut on Tuesday.
— -- Apple will officially enter the music streaming subscription market on Tuesday with the launch of Apple Music and its accompanying Beats 1 radio station.
An estimated 41 million people paid for a streaming music subscription service in 2014, according to IFPI, a London-based recording industry trade group that represents more than 1,300 record labels.
Apple's huge advantage: With more than 800 million iTunes accounts, Apple Music has the opportunity to quickly amass a following.
Here's everything you need to know about Apple Music ahead of its release.
Where Can I Listen to Apple Music?
In order to check out Apple Music, users will need to first upgrade their phones to iOS 8.4, which is expected to drop around 8 a.m. PT/11 a.m. ET. Ian Rogers, senior director of Apple Music, said in a tweet that users should update their phones at that time and could expect to hear Beats 1 begin its 24/7 broadcast 9 a.m. PT/12 p.m. ET with DJ Zane Lowe.
Apple Music will first be available on iOS, watchOS, Mac and Windows, with an Android version coming in the fall.
What Do I Get?
Your existing iTunes music library will live alongside the tens of millions of songs in Apple's catalog. Apple Music members will be able to add to their collection and save songs for offline listening or quickly share favorite music with friends on social media.
Apple's streaming service also includes Beats 1 Radio, which will operate a 24/7 live stream a mix of hits and new songs for fans to discover. No membership is necessary to listen to Beats 1 radio and the advertising supported stations or to see what artists post in a special Connect section where they can communicate with fans.
How Much Is It?
Starting on June 30, Apple Music users can get a three-month free membership, after which a $9.99 per month subscription fee will apply. There will also be a family plan providing service for up to six family members available for $14.99 per month.
Is Siri a Good DJ?
Apple says so -- but we'll let users be the judge. The virtual personal assistant doubles as a DJ when she's asked to "play me the best songs from 2000" or "What was the No. 1 song in January 1988?"
Most Importantly: Can I Listen to Taylor Swift's '1989'?
Yes. There's no more bad blood between Taylor Swift and Apple.
Swift tweeted she would "happily" let Apple stream her latest album after Apple said it would compensate artists during its three-month free trial period.