As expected, Universal Music has signed up to Apple’s iCloud digital locker, meaning all four major record companies are now on board. Plus, overnight, word has it the four major publishers have also reached a basic agreement with the IT giant over their new music venture, which will be formally announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference next week.
Which means everyone’s on board, hurrah. Oh, except, for every single independent record company and publisher, but hey, it’s not the first time Apple’s ignored that lot, is it? You do know Apple is evil, right? I suppose we should note that independent aggregator The Orchard has indicated that it is signed up, and its likely its nearest competitors are also on board, but the big indies, most represented by Merlin, are yet to sign on any dotted line.
As previously reported, iCloud will compete with the Amazon and Google digital lockers, neither of which have music industry support. Unlike its rivals, and presumably in order to ensure label and publisher backing, users of the iCloud will only be able to store tracks bought via iTunes in their Apple locker.
Sections: Digital | Tags: Apple, iCloud, Universal Music
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