Apple has announced its much anticipated music streaming service, Apple Music, which will see the company take on the likes of Spotify and Pandora with a monthly subscription for access to all songs in its iTunes music library.

The service launches on 30th June for iOS, Mac and PC, and later this year will be extended to Apple TV and, in a surprise twist, Android devices.

Apple Music has been expected ever since the firm acquired Dr Dre’s Beats company last year.

The unexpectedly multiplatform nature of Apple Music indicates just how serious the company is about recapturing its place as the de facto entry point for digital music. It’s trying to woo artists to the Apple Music platform by integrating a blogging system that will encourage them to share updates, demos and news directly with fans in a way not entirely unlike MySpace many years ago.

Just like other music apps, Apple Music will recommend playlists and genres based on your listening habits. There’s also an online radio station, Beats 1, which will be curated by DJs such as Zane Lowe.

Perhaps the most important news is that Apple Music will launch worldwide in 100 countries simultaneously – the list of countries hasn’t yet been published but we’d assume that includes South Africa. US prices are $9.99 a month for a single subscription, $14.99 for a family sub.