Nope. Move along, nothing to see here.
Based on what's being described, iTunes Radio won't work for your class. Unless you just want to hit play and work with whatever iTunes decides to deliver to you.
iTunes Radio (from what I can see) is really just Apple's version of Pandora. Give them a song or genre of music and iTunes Radio will serve a streaming radio of suggested songs.
I found a good explanation at zdnet.com of why Apple isn't offering a streaming catalog like Spotify or Google's new Google Play music services.
Apple most likely chose the radio station model because:
1. It's less like to cannibalize its iTunes music sales. A buy button is prominently displayed in the upper-right hand corner of the iTunes Radio now playing screen putting you just a touch away from being able to purchase a track.
2. It was a much easier sell to the music labels. I'm sure that the buy button in the upper-right corner was a significant part of Apple pitch to labels.
3. It was easier to close deals with three major music labels (which came down to the wire) as opposed to getting deals with all of the labels representing the 26 million plus tracks in the iTunes Store's massive music library.
Personally, I'd rather have a "catalog" (or hybrid) music streaming service from Apple (imagine, every track in the iTunes store being free to listen to!) over a "radio" service, which is why I don't see canceling my Spotify subscription any time soon. Ever since I've bought into the catalog streaming model, I've purchased very few individual tracks (although I've still purchased a few pre-release albums and live recordings) -- which is probably the exact reason why Apple (and the labels) opted for iTunes Radio on Monday. I hope that Apple eventually expands it's music subscription offering, but judging by how long it took it to secure deals with three music labels (iRadio has been rumored since September) I'm not optimistic.
iTunes Radio is planning to launch this Fall.
John is a member on the AFS (Association of Fitness Studios) Advisory Council.
Holding certifications from; Schwinn, Heart Zones, Team ICG and Life Time Fitness, John's held regularly scheduled cycling classes between 1998 and 2015 when he moved to Florida.
When the weather permits, you'll find him riding and leading outdoor groups by himself or with his Tandem partner (wife) Amy.
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Another slam against the company who started it all. Are we so close to a $1.29 that we cannot see the forest for the trees. When Apple introduced the iPod to go with iTunes it changed our lives. That was 12 years ago.
I don’t see using spotify as life changing I see it as penny pinching. I don’t see instructors using Spotify to deliver extraordinary classes but rather diluting their potential. Why? At the end of the day Spotify is not an indoor cycle instructor tool but an online radio that allows one to save (not own) tracks.
John you talk about your keen desire to use the right tool in an earlier post. I could not agree more. There are any number of instructor tools for your mobile device yet you choose to use Spotify. Why? Is it because Spotify is quick, easy and cheap?
To deliver a remarkable class ala Tom Scotto at opening ride ICI/PRO conference 2011 an instructor needs to use a tool designed for such a purpose. We all know Tom did not have iTunes or Spotify or Pandora running that evening, he had a live band. He was using a tool that gives the instructor the information they need to transform ordinary to extraordinary.
You’ve mentioned several tools over the years. Almost everyone somehow agreed they were cumbersome. They sure do take some time to learn to use. Of course, as my Dad used to say; “Anything worth doing is worth spending the time to do it well”
Music is an engine. It is the mechanic using the correct tools that makes the engine run most efficiently.
I’m just saying.
Chuck Spotify makes switching from “functional” music to “fun” music possible without a second thought. It would have cost me $19.35 to download Kim’s playlist… but I never would have. No way I’m spending $1.29 on anything by Rick Springfield.
Just saying.