Apple considering launching music service to rival Spotify, iTunes for Android

Apple is reportedly said to be considering an on-demand music streaming service that could potentially rival Spotify.

The tech giant is also mulling creation of an iTunes app for Android phones, which would mark a dramatic departure to the way Apple has developed its mobile software since six years.

Apple's iTunes Radio is a free, ad-supported service that lets people create stations based on songs, artists, or genres.

However, sources have described the talks between Apple and record labels about the prospects of a paid streaming service as 'early,' The Verge reports.

It is widely speculated that Apple was pursuing a number of exclusive album releases to drum up digital sales, and replicate the success of Beyonce's recent surprise album, which was the fastest-selling album on iTunes.

Although, Apple founder Steve Jobs had famously dismissed the idea of bringing iTunes to Windows and Android, because he didn't see an advantage of putting Apple's own music app on Android, current CEO Tim Cook has treaded a decidedly different line, saying that the company had 'no religious issues' porting its software over.