Apple has completed work on an online music storage service and is set to launch it ahead of Google, whose own music efforts have stalled, according to several people familiar with both companies' plans.
Apple's plans will allow iTunes customers to store their songs on a remote server, and then access them from wherever they have an Internet connection, said two of these people who asked not to be named as the talks are still confidential.
Apple and COO Tim Cook have yet to sign any new licenses for the service and major music labels are hoping to secure deals before the service is launched, three of the sources said. Apple has not told its music partners when it intends to introduce its music locker, they said.
TIM COOK
Creates new service.
An Apple spokesman declined to comment.
Amazon.com Inc launched a music locker service earlier in April without new licensing agreements leading to threats of legal action from some music companies. At the time, Amazon argued that its so-called Cloud Drive service does not need licenses, and said uploaded music belongs to the users.
Last week, however, Amazon held talks with some labels to reach agreements for a new, more sophisticated locker service.
Apple, Amazon and Google are battling for control of new digital media platforms through which everyday users will access their music and videos.
While Amazon is the leading e-reader maker, Apple and Google are competing on mobile platforms like smartphones and tablet devices.
Google had been expected to launch a music service as a feature of its Android mobile operating system as far back as last Christmas.
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