Software hints at Apple Internet radio

Hidden "radio" buttons in Apple's iOS 6.1 operating system suggest an Apple radio service intended to compete with Pandora and Spotify, Apple watchers say. The 9to5Mac site reported discovering a set of buttons and references in the software code to "radio," a feature found in iTunes on Macs and PCs but not on the iPad or iPhone. The buttons' existence is more evidence of Apple's much-rumored radio service, which would allow people to stream music much like they do on Pandora, but with deep ties to Apple's iTunes library, CNET reported Tuesday. Another button bearing the legend "buy" suggests the ability to make purchases of songs from within the radio feature, presumably from iTunes. Apple has reportedly been in talks with content owners to license music for an Internet-based radio service since last year.