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Apple will allow millions of app developers to access its artificial intelligence models for the first time, as the tech giant looks to capitalise on its vast hardware and software ecosystem to give it an edge over its competitors.

Speaking at its developer event in Cupertino on Monday, chief executive Tim Cook said the company was looking to “harness the power of Apple Intelligence”, referring to an AI overhaul of its software that was first announced at last year’s event.

Developers would be able to test the features starting on June 9, with a full rollout for consumers in the autumn, Cook said. The AI features are only available on recent models of the iPhone.

Apple software chief Craig Federighi said that opening its AI models to third parties would “ignite a whole new wave of intelligent experiences in the apps users rely on every day”.

The models run locally on Apple’s devices, meaning they do not need to access a cloud server or a network connection — something the company has emphasised as a significant privacy and security benefit.

Federighi gave the example of a puzzle app building a personalised quiz for a user based on the notes on their device, or a hiking app choosing a trail for a user based on their personal preferences when they do not have reception.

Access to Apple’s AI models will initially be limited to the smaller ones that work locally on its devices. It has also built larger cloud-based models, which cannot run natively on devices due to the massive computing power required.

Analysts have long questioned how Apple might integrate and eventually monetise AI features into its App Store business, which brought more than $30bn in revenue for the company in 2024, according to Bank of America estimates.

Apple is also introducing live AI translation of calls and messages using models running locally on the user’s device, as well as a number of other incremental updates such as allowing its “Visual Search” feature to engage with content on a user’s screen.

Separately, Apple is overhauling and unifying the look of its different operating systems in what it calls its “broadest software design update ever”. It uses an aesthetic dubbed “Liquid Glass”, inspired by the Vision Pro operating system.

The latest push into the AI space comes as investors are concerned that Apple risks falling behind in a technological race with the likes of Google, Samsung and Huawei to offer “AI smartphones”.

The initial “Apple Intelligence” rollout has hit snags, and a more advanced and conversational Siri voice assistant, announced at last year’s conference, has yet to be rolled out. On Monday there was no mention of the updated Siri, widely seen as crucial to opening true “agentic” AI abilities on the iPhone.

Apple shares were down 1.4 per cent on Monday afternoon.

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Exceleration Music has entered into an agreement to acquire iconic UK-headquartered independent music company Cooking Vinyl, which it describes as “one of the UK’s most successful and long-standing music companies”.

Founded in 1986, Cooking Vinyl is home to a roster of artists that includes Shed Seven, Suzanne Vega, Passenger, The Prodigy, The Cranberries, Billy Bragg, The Darkness, Deacon Blue, 47 Soul, Roger Waters and The Jesus and Mary Chain.

Exceleration said on Monday (June 9) that Cooking Vinyl will continue to operate independently, led by Managing Director Rob Collins and his team.

Founder Martin Goldschmidt will remain in his current capacity as Chairman.

US-headquartered Exceleration was launched by five indie sector executives in January 2021, backed by what it described as “substantial investment capital”.

The music venture is still led by its group of original founders, including Glen Barros (former CEO of Concord Music Group), Dave Hansen (Executive Chairman of Merlin and former GM of Epitaph), Charles Caldas (former CEO of Merlin), Amy Dietz (former GM of Ingrooves) and John Burk (Grammy-winning producer and former President of Concord Records).

To date, Exceleration has acquired or formed “strategic relationships” with independents including +1 Records, Alligator, Azadi, Bloodshot, Candid, Down The Road, Heroic, Kill Rock Stars, Mack Avenue, Mom+Pop, Redeye Worldwide, SideOneDummy, The Ray Charles Foundation/ Tangerine Records and Yep Roc Records.

Most recently, Exceleration said that the acquisition of Cooking Vinyl brings together “two influential forces in the independent music sector.”

The deal arrives less than two years after Exceleration acquired independent digital and physical distribution/services company Redeye.

According to the companies, Cooking Vinyl will integrate into Redeye’s distribution platform and gain access to Exceleration’s global infrastructure, “significantly expanding its growth opportunities worldwide”.

Exceleration also said it will tap into Cooking Vinyl’s “renowned artist marketing expertise,” while crediting Cooking Vinyl as “the originator of artist services with its signing of Billy Bragg in 1993, and a proven worldwide leader in the field”.

Cooking Vinyl Publishing UK, Cooking Vinyl Publishing Australia and Motus Music are not included within the acquisition.

The acquisition comes during what Exceleration called “one of the most successful and dynamic periods” in Cooking Vinyl’s nearly four-decade history. In 2024, the company achieved two No.1 UK albums for the same artist with Shed Seven.

Previous No.1 albums for Cooking Vinyl include releases by Passenger and The Prodigy. Most recently The Darkness debuted at No.2 in the UK charts with their album Dreams on Toast.

“At Cooking Vinyl, we’ve worked tirelessly to help our artists achieve both artistic and commercial success — without ever compromising their uniqueness or creative control. This deal enhances that mission.”

Rob Collins, Cooking Vinyl

Commenting on the deal, Collins said: “At Cooking Vinyl, we’ve worked tirelessly to help our artists achieve both artistic and commercial success — without ever compromising their uniqueness or creative control.

“This deal enhances that mission. Our artists will still benefit from our close-knit, highly personalised team that combines deep industry expertise with old-fashioned hard graft.

“But now, with the expanded US capabilities, enhanced resources, and the broader global reach of the Exceleration structure, we’re able to offer even stronger support to our current and future roster. I look forward to working with their team to spearhead this next phase for Cooking Vinyl!”

“I have known and admired Redeye and key members of the Exceleration partners since 1988 and am very pleased that our future will be with people who understand and appreciate who we are, and where we belong.”

Martin Goldschmidt

Added Goldschmidt: “I have been running an independent label for over 40 years. This deal takes the label to the next level and offers far greater opportunities for our team and our artists.

“The cultures and synergies between our companies are immense. Creating a worldwide proposition is the obvious one but more important to me are the shared values of commitment to independence and caring about artists and our team.

“I have known and admired Redeye and key members of the Exceleration partners since 1988 and am very pleased that our future will be with people who understand and appreciate who we are, and where we belong. I look forward to helping guide Rob and his team to realise Cooking Vinyl’s full potential in my role as Chairman for many years to come.”

“The addition of Cooking Vinyl, and their impressive team, to the Exceleration system represents a significant step forward in our mission to invest in market-leading independents globally.”

Glen Barros, Exceleration

Glen Barros, Founding Partner of Exceleration, said: “The addition of Cooking Vinyl, and their impressive team, to the Exceleration system represents a significant step forward in our mission to invest in market-leading independents globally.

“Cooking Vinyl not only brings a set of remarkable artists into our orbit, but their team adds an important piece to the puzzle for Exceleration’s Artist and Label Services capabilities, including enhancing Redeye Distribution outside of the US.  Their history of chart and commercial success aligns perfectly with our long-term vision.”

Cooking Vinyl is claimed to “consistently [have] been at the forefront of the digital revolution and evolution”.

In 2005 the label set up its own online distribution company, Uploader, which was sold to the Independent Online Distribution Alliance (IODA). After selling its in-house distribution company, Uploader, to the Independent Online Distribution Alliance (IODA), Cooking Vinyl became a stakeholder in another independent distribution and services company in Essential Music & Marketing.

Essential Music was founded in 2003, working with label partners including FatCat, Cherry Red, Lojinx, Nettwerk, Concord Music Group, BMG, Thirty Tigers, Snapper, Fierce Panda and Full Time Hobby – as well as Cooking Vinyl itself.

Essential Music was acquired by Sony Red in 2016, later forming the basis for the Sony Music‘s The Orchard in the UK market.

Cooking Vinyl remained 100% independent following the Essential Music sale.Music Business WorldwideMusic Business Worldwide