Apple likely to turn up music dial

SAN FRANCISCO: Apple on Monday is expected to unveil a ramped up music service that builds on the iPhone maker’s strengths in a challenge to Spotify, Pandora and other established players.

In the biggest overhaul of iTunes since it was launched in early 2003, the service was anticipated to include an option of subscribing to streaming music for $10 monthly.

Analysts and industry insiders believe rebranded “Apple Music” will be introduced on Monday during a keynote presentation kicking off the company’s weeklong Wordwide Developers Conference.

“I absolutely think we will see a streaming music service,” Gartner analyst Van Baker said. “Apple is late to the game on this but it may not matter.”