Although we've yet to see it (as many had expected) or to hear an official announcement, there's renewed expectation that Apple's new Internet Radio service is coming soon. The latest speculation centers on last week's release by Apple of its newest software upgrade to iTunes, debuting a revamped iTunes 11 player. Analysts at BTIG Research believe the upgrade is the first step in the launch of an Apple "iRadio" streaming music service. BTIG notes that "Radio" is now an option on the new iTunes 11 horizontal bar. The button currently sends users towards iTunes' extensive directory of online radio stations. BTIG says that option is currently "unappealing" to most consumers. "We believe the radio service can easily be updated," writes BTIG Research. CNet, reporting on this, notes that last month, BTIG wrote that the expected "iRadio" service will be "vastly superior to Pandora because Apple is unwilling to settle for compulsory music licenses. Instead, expect iRadio to seek direct deals with labels at premium rates enabling iRadio to offer a superior feature set including a global solution (sites like Pandora are limited to the U.S.), increased skips (compulsory licenses limit skips to six/hour) and maybe most importantly, extended caching so that wireless dead-zones are no longer a problem whether driving, flying or underground." Several months ago, as we reported then, Apple was expected to debut its Internet Radio service when it launched the iPhone 5. However, subsequent reports said it was delayed due to licensing negotiations with Sony/ATV Publishing. BTIG now reports that it expects Apple to launch "iRadio" in the first half of 2013.
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