Apple introduces on-demand music streaming service

SAN FRANCISCO — Jimmy Iovine, co-founder of Beats Electronics, is introducing Apple Music, an app that combines a 24-hour, seven-day live radio station called “Beats 1″ with an on-demand music streaming service.

“Beats 1,” led by former BBC host Zane Lowe, will be broadcast live out of Los Angeles, New York and London.

The app will also give artists a forum called “Connect” to allow them to interact with fans by releasing demos, playlists, soundbites, videos and songs.

Iovine says the app brings together elements of the music world that are confusing and currently spread across many apps. He introduced it Monday at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco.

Other Apple announcements:

• Apple says app developers will be able to make apps specifically for the Apple Watch and interact directly with the watch’s sensors and controls, such as the dial.

• The next version of Watch OS will also have new watch faces, including those featuring your personal photos and albums. Raise your wrist, and a different photo from the album shows up.

• The iOS 9 update coming this fall will also have battery improvements and improved security.

• In future cars that support Apple’s CarPlay, you’ll be able to do more on the car’s dashboard without taking the phone out of your bag or pocket.

• The iPad tablet will look and act more like a Mac personal computer starting this fall.

• You’ll also be able to watch video in a small window while doing other things on the iPad.

• Apple is finally bringing public transit support to Apple Maps.

• In the U.S., Apple says 1 million retail locations will accept contactless-payment services such as Apple Pay by next month. The locations will include chains such as Trader Joe’s and JC Penney.

• Apple promises that Siri will be an even better virtual assistant. Siri will try to be more proactive — akin to what Google already does with Google Now and has plans to do with the upcoming Now on Tap feature.

• Apple says this fall’s update to its Mac operating system will be called El Capitan – the name of a landmark in Yosemite National Park.

CEO Tim Cook declared the event “the epicenter of change” for both Apple and the industry.