Apple Music launches in China, so don't forget to cancel trial membership

The Chairman smiles at Tim Cook. Apple's announced it's rolling out Apple Music to the Middle Kingdom, with every expectation it will be just as successful as it is in the US.

Speaking of success...is Apple Music all-that-it's-hyped-up-to-be successful? Depends on who you ask.

In IT Blogwatch, bloggers tried it, but still won't pay for it.

Today's humble blogwatcher is Stephen Glasskeys.

John Ribeiro takes aim at China:

Apple has launched Apple Music together with iTunes Movies and iBooks in China, which is already the company's largest market for app downloads.
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The company is braving competition from local players as well as the high piracy levels in the country.  MORE

Michael de Waal-Montgomery drives a hard bargain:

We knew early on that Apple would tweak its music-streaming service price plans for different markets, but $1.5 per month for China does seem incredibly low. It clearly wants to get a strong foot in the market and beat...offerings from the likes of Tencent’s QQ Music, which are similarly priced.  MORE

Straight from the censored curated horse's mouth:

"Customers in China love the App Store and have made it our largest market in the world for app downloads," said Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. "One of the top requests has been more great content and we're thrilled to bring music, movies and books to China, curated by a local team of experts.".  MORE

Leslie Shaffer can see right through murky marketing hype:

[It's] not clear yet how popular Apple's streaming music service will be even its home market of the U.S.
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In August, Apple said 21 percent of people who signed up the trial weren't continuing to use [Apple Music], countering claims from research company MusicWatch that 48 percent weren't continuing the service.  MORE

Edwin Chan can always find a work-around:

Customers in China with a foreign Apple ID, such as from the U.S., have been able to download music from the company's online store. Songs and albums remain off-limits to iPhone and iPad users with a local Chinese Apple ID, according to Apple's online support page.  MORE

Meanwhile, John Feetenby (@Feexby) goes on holiday:

Happy Don't Forget To Turn Off Auto-Renew On Your Free Apple Music Membership Trial Period Day everyone.  MORE

You have been reading IT Blogwatch by Stephen Glasskeys, who curates the best bloggy bits, finest forums, and weirdest websites… so you don't have to. Catch the key commentary from around the Web every morning. Hatemail may be directed to @Glasskeys or itbw@richi.uk. Opinions expressed may not represent those of Computerworld. Ask your doctor before reading. Your mileage may vary. E&OE.

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