Apple Tasks Jimmy Iovine, Trent Reznor with Making a Spotify Competitor

Apple is ready to revamp its streaming music offerings, and has put Jimmy Iovine and Trent Reznor on the task. The iPhone and iPad maker wants to go head to head with Spotify and similar streaming music services, and is leveraging its Beats acquisition to make that happen.

Apple hard at work on Spotify streaming music competitorApple hard at work on Spotify streaming music competitor

Mr. Iovine co-founded Beats with Dr. Dre and has a long history in music production. When Apple bought Beats both men came along as part of the deal. Mr. Iovine has been working on landing exclusive album launches for iTunes, according to the New York Times, and one insider went to far as to describe the redesigned iTunes offerings as "Spotify with Jimmy juice."

Apple is also reportedly looking at reworking iTunes Radio to better compete with Pandora. Zane Lowe, who was hired away from BBC radio, is expected to play a big part in that project. Sources say iTunes Radio may become more like traditional radio and change up content based on regions with Mr. Lowe becoming the voice for the overall streaming music service.

The revamped music services will include a redesigned music app for the iPhone, which Mr. Reznor is overseeing. Instead of letting engineers guide the app development process, Apple wanted a musician in charge.

Mr. Reznor has performed in several bands but is best known for his own group, Nine Inch Nails. Apple no doubt wants his experience as a musician and producer to guide the development of their new music app.

Insiders said Apple is planning on offering Beats Music curated playlists and other Beats features through its new streaming service, although the Beats name may get dropped. The cost for Apple's new service is expected to be in line with competitors at about US$10 a month.

Apple's new music app is expected to come out with the next major iOS update, which hints that we'll see the reworked music services this fall. Apple typically rolls out its major iOS updates in the fall at about the same time new iPhone models are released.

Apple hasn't commented on the reports about new music services, which is in line with the company's usual tight-lipped policy. That said, it makes sense that new music offerings are coming from the company considering the Beats acquisition.

[Some image elements courtesy Shutterstock]