Apple's rumored radio service

iRADIO IN THE WORKS? When Apple introduces the iPhone 5 and possibly a seven-inch mini iPad at its presentation on Wednesday, the company may also announce the future launch of an ad-supported custom streaming radio service reportedly aimed at Spotify while potentially hitting Pandora right in the kisser. The news that Apple had recently initiated negotiations with labels and publishers for such a service broke last Thursday in the Wall Street Journal, citing sources. (Reporter Ethan Smith discusses the situation above.) According to the story, the custom radio service would work on the iPhone, iPad and Macs, and quite possibly on Windows devices as well, but it wouldn’t be available on Android devices from fierce rival Google. But according to the Journal, “even if it does complete deals, it could be a matter of months when such a service might launch, according to these people”—meaning a Wednesday announcement may be premature. Either way, it won’t be long till we find out. (9/10a)