Apple files trademark applications for another four Beats radios

Following rumours months ago that Apple was looking to add fuel to the Beats 1 radio experiment, the company has filed trademark applications for Beats 2, Beats 3, Beats 4 and Beats 5. 

Apple’s agreements with rights holders reportedly allow the company to run up to five radio stations, and it would make sense for Apple to expand its service to cater for more specific tastes. The tardemark application likely means that a launch is close, as the trademark office adopts a 'use it or lose it' policy.

It is unclear whether Apple’s Beats 1 experiment, which attracted a lot of attention early on after the launch, has become a habitual source of music for a substantial number of listeners. How many people are actually tuning in every day, for example, remains a mystery. 

Apple has clearly entered the music streaming space to stay, even if this means writing off some losses, so the renewed push of its radio strategy shouldn’t be a surprise. 

(Andrea Leonelli)