Apple Signs Warner Music To The Cloud

Last Thursday, All Things Digital reported that Apple had signed two of the four major labels to licensing deals for the company’s yet-to-launch cloud music service, though they were not able to confirm which companies. Now it appears, based on a report on CNET this morning, that Apple has signed a licensing agreement with Warner Music Group for the said service. The news seems a sure sign that Apple is finally closing in on their new music service, which has been in the works for quite some time.

In other scores around the league, Apple competitor Spotify has already signed deals with Sony and EMI for their service in the U.S., with Universal reportedly close to a deal, and Warner officially still holding out.

Recently, reports have also surfaced that Google is frustrated with the record labels, as the search giant has fruitlessly tried to come to terms with labels in order to launch a cloud music service of their own. It’s even been suggested that Google ought to buy an existing music platform like Pandora, and the company is also said to be considering a partnership with a service like Spotify.

Coupled with the news of Apple’s EMI deal is an exclusive report from Reuters that Apple has completed development of their new music service, and has only to iron out the licensing logistics before an imminent launch.