The iPhone Music App Is Being Redesigned By Trent Reznor

Drop the i. It's cleaner.

Trent Reznor’s evolution from raucous Nine Inch Nails frontman to Oscar-winning Social Network composer to app developer is a curious one, but certainly not unwelcome.

Sources close to Apple tell the New York Times Reznor is working on an overhaul of their digital music services.

That includes integrating Dr. Dre’s Beats streaming service (of which Reznor was chief creative officer). Apple purchased Beats Music for $3 billion back in 2014.

It’s hoped that Apple’s new music branch can challenge Spotify for streaming domination. (Good timing, as revenue from streaming services recently overtook that for physical CD sales, and it’s gaining on revenue from digital sales, like those made by iTunes, too.)

However, here’s one major distinction between Apple and other streaming services: Apple’s service won’t have a “free tier” nor will it be cheaper than its competitors.

Apple is keeping quiet about much of their new music service, though the NYT understands it may appear on their upcoming iOS, codenamed “Copper.” (The name “Beats Music” will soon be a thing of the past, apparently.)

It is unknown what role Reznor will have in the redesign, but expect it to be moody and to have a distinct David Fincher vibe.