by In a move that could signal that Apple is starting to take independent streaming radio stations more seriously, the Cupertino company sent an e-mail to multiple radio stations asking them to submit cover art for future use on mobile device and iTunes.
As reported by MacRumors, the e-mail reads as follows:
“The iTunes Store now requires cover art for Internet Radio stations. The cover art files must be 1400 x 1400 pixels in JPG or PNG format using RGB color space. The image URL must end in “.jpg”, “.jpeg” or “.png”. To add cover art to your station, send an email to itunesradio@apple.com including your contact name, station name and cover art file. Cover art should avoid pixelation. Any text should be legible at reduced image sizes on small devices.”
The e-mail went on to remind recipients that artwork for Internet radio stations is not currently displayed. iTunes already features hundreds of independent radio stations spread across college campuses and foreign countries, but they’re not given anywhere the same attention iTunes’ albums and songs receive. (See the screenshot above for an example of the radio portion’s current bland design.) This could be a sign that this will change with iOS 7’s iTunes Radio, although if so, there’s currently no indication as to how Apple plans to mesh the two services together.
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