Interesting yet very anti-competitive move by Apple.
There are lots and lots of existing providers of karaoke tracks: these invest (depending on quality) between several dollars and several hundreds of dollars to record "soundalike" tracks
Sales of such tracks do not generate royalties for the original performer, but do pay out to the composer (per track sale and for things like public performance).
Apple is now garroting these middlemen using technology, and most likely using this capability as leverage in negotiating with recording artists ("hey, give us a 14-day exclusive on iMusicOrWhateverWeCallItThisWeek, and we'll kick back an additional point on residuals").
This is bad news for the existing providers, and barely good news for anyone else.
There are lots and lots of existing providers of karaoke tracks: these invest (depending on quality) between several dollars and several hundreds of dollars to record "soundalike" tracks
Sales of such tracks do not generate royalties for the original performer, but do pay out to the composer (per track sale and for things like public performance).
Apple is now garroting these middlemen using technology, and most likely using this capability as leverage in negotiating with recording artists ("hey, give us a 14-day exclusive on iMusicOrWhateverWeCallItThisWeek, and we'll kick back an additional point on residuals").
This is bad news for the existing providers, and barely good news for anyone else.