iOS 7 beta: iTunes Radio brings first ads to Apple's lock screen
The new developer beta of iOS 7 with iTunes Radio includes a first for Apple: a direct link on the lock screen to the iTunes Store to purchase content.
When using the new iTunes Radio feature built in to the Music application in iOS 7, users can lock their iPhone's display and allow the music to keep streaming. Upon waking the device, the iPhone's lock screen will include the album art of the currently playing track.
At the bottom of that artwork is also a link, offering users the ability to "Download on iTunes" the currently playing song.
At the moment, the "Download on iTunes" link appears to only be shown to iTunes Radio users who are not subscribed to Apple's $24.99-per-year iTunes Match service. Those who are subscribers are simply shown the album cover of the currently playing track without the iTunes Store link.
But iTunes Match subscribers still have the option to buy the currently streaming song by launching the Music application. There, a link to the iTunes Store with the price of the track is displayed in the upper right corner of the Now Playing screen.
Because iOS 7 is beta, it's possible that this functionality could be changed before the mobile operating system is finalized and made available to the public. As a result, iTunes Match subscribers could potentially also gain the "Download on iTunes" link on their lock screen, while conversely the advertisement could be removed entirely.
When using the new iTunes Radio feature built in to the Music application in iOS 7, users can lock their iPhone's display and allow the music to keep streaming. Upon waking the device, the iPhone's lock screen will include the album art of the currently playing track.
At the bottom of that artwork is also a link, offering users the ability to "Download on iTunes" the currently playing song.
At the moment, the "Download on iTunes" link appears to only be shown to iTunes Radio users who are not subscribed to Apple's $24.99-per-year iTunes Match service. Those who are subscribers are simply shown the album cover of the currently playing track without the iTunes Store link.
But iTunes Match subscribers still have the option to buy the currently streaming song by launching the Music application. There, a link to the iTunes Store with the price of the track is displayed in the upper right corner of the Now Playing screen.
Because iOS 7 is beta, it's possible that this functionality could be changed before the mobile operating system is finalized and made available to the public. As a result, iTunes Match subscribers could potentially also gain the "Download on iTunes" link on their lock screen, while conversely the advertisement could be removed entirely.
Comments
Quote:
Originally Posted by iaeen
Is this really an ad? When I told my girlfriend that Apple was going to launch iRadio she said she would probably drop pandora because iRadio would make it easier for her to buy the songs she liked.
Exactly my thought. It's not an "ad" per-say, but yeah it is an offer to buy it. I agree with your girlfriend about that. The even bigger draw for me is the ability to choose whether songs are "Top Hits", niche songs (Discovery), or a mix of both. That's a feature I've been desperately wanting in current product offers from other companies and haven't seen until now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zoffdino
Don't know why Apple is making it harder for paid subscriber (iTunes Match users) to buy a song compared to non-subscribers. That link can be useful if that's a song I like and want to own.
It's not harder, really. It still shows it inside the application, just not on the homescreen.
The software is beta. Make your view known. For paid users that should be optional.
It is OK. Not everybody has a good imagination.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazoobee
I can't imagine a single good reason to use iTunes "Radio."
If you have iTunes Match, it's a no-brainer freebie. Ad free iTunes Radio is worth 25 bucks a year.
Quote:
Originally Posted by winstein2010
One day, smartphones will be free and subsidized by mobile payments, ads and coupons.
They said the same thing about Cable TV (which started as a paid, ad-free service).
I prefer a model where I can pay to opt out of the ads (which by their very nature tend to be riddled with spyware, tracking cookies, hidden redirects, etc.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleZilla
If you have iTunes Match, it's a no-brainer freebie. Ad free iTunes Radio is worth 25 bucks a year.
Exactly. Now, for $2/month, I have iTunes Match and ad-free iTunes Radio. That seems like a good deal.
And for me, the fact is that I never bothered with any of the streaming radio services, basically because I just wasn't motivated enough. But now, I'm getting it for no extra cost, no ads, and it's totally integrated into an ecosystem into which I'm already very invested.
Seems perfect. Heck, if I end up not using it, it didn't cost me a thing anyways.
At least with iRadio I know I won't be told that I have "1 new message waiting" *blinkblinkblinkblinkblink*. >_>
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazoobee
I can't imagine a single good reason to use iTunes "Radio."
My imagination isn't that great, but I think iTunes Radio might be good for listening to music.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wdowell
I thought I read somewhere on Apple's website that the "adverts" themsevles will be AUDIO, so this isnt 'the' ad, rather just another way to buy the track being listened to (ok, which is sort of an ad!)
Agreed. This article is incorrect. Radio is providing an easy and unobtrusive means of purchasing the songs for those who wish to do so. The actual ads on radio will be audio.
Per Apple's site, "Instead of hearing the occasional ad, you can listen to iTunes Radio completely ad-free when you subscribe to iTunes Match." (emphasis added by me)