Apple's Plans for Beats Music Service Taking Shape

Apple's plans for Beats, the company it acquired for $3 billion (roughly Rs. 18,634 crores) in May, are coming into sharper focus.

Apple intends to include its Beats music service in future versions of iOS, its mobile software system for iPhones and iPads, according to people briefed on the plans, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Behind the scenes, Apple also is working to make the streaming music service cheaper for consumers.

It has begun discussions with record labels over new licensing terms that will allow it to drop the monthly subscription price for Beats Music to as low as $5 a month, down from $10 a month, according to executives briefed on those talks. So far labels have balked at that request, seeking a slightly higher price, according to these people. Apple declined to comment.

The price of subscription music plans has become a debated topic in the music industry, with some analysts saying that $10 a month is simply more than most casual listeners are willing to pay.

Estimates of the average listener's annual spending on music vary, but are usually around $40-$55 a year.