In the months leading up to Apple’s WWDC event, numerous reports have signalled the introduction of the company’s new iCloud service, which was long thought to be its first foray into delivering music to iPhones, iPads and iPods via an Internet connection. On Tuesday,Apple confirmedit would unveil the latest updates to its Mac OS X and iOS operating systems, also announcing its new iCloud platform. Its the first time that Apple has confirmed the existence of its iCloud service, let alone address what it will deliver....

With reports that Apple hasfinally secured music dealswith each of the big four record labels, perfectly positioning the company for the launch of its iCloud service at WWDC next week, details have begun to emerge as to how much the computing giant is paying to ensure it launches successfully. According to the NYPost, Apple is having to spend between $100 million and $150 million in “advanced payments” to the four major music labels to ensure iCloud launches with the full support of the music industry, beating rivals Spotify to market in North America, eclipsing music-locker services provided by Google and Amazon....

Apple has enabled the storage upgrade option of its iCloud services on iOS beta devices today, in conjunction with theactivation of iCloud.com. The storage upgrade options range from 10GB up to 100GB, reports9to5Mac. The pricing is arranged in four tiers: Apple’s iCloud storage provides space for device backups, storage for music and photos, as well as a place for Apple’s iWork apps and other third-party apps to store documents. Apple has stated that your music and photos will not count against your iCloud storage, making this more of a place to put app data and backups than anything else....

Apple’s proposal for a new buildingon the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica was passed by the city’s Planning Commission on Wednesday, without so much as a question raised or statement from the building’s commissioners, theSanta Monica Dispatch reports. As is customary with any planning proposal, City staff were required to prepare a detailed report on Apple’s new Store project in the area, complete with renderings, where it was approved. However, the nature of which it was approved was very different from other commercial proposals submitted before the Commission....

Apple’s iOS 14 will give users more privacy protection — and publishers aren’t happy about it The backlash The opt-in is not the only change in iOS 14 that gives users more privacy protection, but it has attracted the most attention. Privacy campaigners will applaud the move, but the reaction from the media business has been mixed. The likes of American online publishing trade body Digital Content Nextthought it wouldpotentially benefit members....