Get ready to tune into Apple’s iRadio ‘to launch this summer

APPLE will take on Spotify when it launches its internet radio service – dubbed iRadio – this summer, it’s claimed.

The technology giant is believed to have been preparing to join the music-streaming market for a number of years, and is only now gearing up for its imminent debut.

Negotiations between them and top recording companies Universal and Warner are said to be at an advanced stage over the service.

And they are thought to be using their position as a top tech brand to play hardball with the music bigwigs — asking to pay just 4p per 100 plays for any song.

Pandora — a similar US-based streaming service — currently pays about 8p, and Spotify pays 23p.

However, Apple’s bargaining position may be so good that the record companies can’t afford to turn them down.