Apple's streaming music plans may include a revamped iTunes Radio, exclusive albums

Apple's rumored music streaming plans may include a revamped iTunes Radio, as well as exclusive album launch deals for the upcoming service.

While a new report from The New York TImes largely focuses on a number of previously rumored details about Apple's streaming music plans, it does point to some new details in the form of a revamped iTunes Radio headed up by former BBC Radio DJ and recent Apple hire, Zane Lowe. From The New York Times:

Mr. Lowe is expected to play a role reconfiguring iTunes Radio. Among the ideas that have been floated for iTunes Radio are a more geographically targeted approach that would bear some resemblance to a traditional radio station, with Mr. Lowe as the voice, music executives said.

Additionally, the report notes that former Beats Music exec Jimmy Iovine is heading up efforts to secure exclusive album releases for the service:

Mr. Iovine has set the tone of the transformation of Apple's music plans, according to music executives. Mr. Iovine, who reports to Eddy Cue, Apple's head of software and Internet services, has been leading aggressive talks to secure prominent album releases that will be exclusive to Apple, akin to what Beyoncé did when she released her self-titled album on iTunes in December 2013. One music executive involved in the negotiations described this part of the new iTunes as "Spotify with Jimmy juice."

The report goes on to note that the streaming service, which is part of a larger redesign to the music app headed up by Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor, is currently being tested under a new version of iOS codenamed "Copper." It's unknown which upcoming version of iOS Copper refers to, but it was recently reported that the music service could debut as soon as WWDC with an iOS 8.4 update.