New streaming music service iTunes Radio debuted Wednesday, when iOS 7 became available. Though users can create custom radio stations based on songs and artists, they can also discover music through featured stations.
Among the featured stations are those curated by guest DJs Katy Perry and 30 Seconds to Mars frontman Jared Leto. At launch, Twitter and Pepsi also offer stations.
The Twitter #music station on iTunes Radio will play songs trending on Twitter, while Pepsi's (co-branded Pulse #NOW) four stations will play trending and emerging pop, country, latin and electronic dance music.
Apple had promised the service would use humans to curate some stations, rather than just relying on algorithms like some rival services do. Guest DJs ensure that promise is kept.
iTunes Radio is free with no ads for users of iTunes Match, which costs $24.99 for a year's subscription. It's also free with ads for non-iTunes Match subscribers. iTunes Radio will work on iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Apple TV) and iTunes on Mac and PC.
On Wednesday, Apple also revealed the brand partners whose advertisements will appear for non-paying users at launch: McDonald's, Nissan, Pepsi and Procter & Gamble.
BONUS: iOS 7 Apps: Download These Now
[nggallery id=12593]