Apple Reportedly Working on iTunes Music Subscription Service

[MacRumors]

Just as Apple has been reported to be seeking to block streaming music firm Spotify from entering the United States, The New York Post claims that the company is negotiating with music labels to offer a subscription-based music service. A subscription service would offer users unlimited access to music for a monthly fee, as opposed of the pay-per-track model the iTunes Store has utilized since its inception.

Apple iTunes boss Eddy Cue was on the phone with music honchos as recently as a few weeks ago trying to figure out how the partners can move forward.

One source said the service could have tiered pricing ranging from $10 to $15, although there are issues to be ironed out, including how much music would be included in each tier and how long consumers would be able to access that content.

According to the report, music labels appear to be receptive to the idea, hoping that the offering would re-energize the stagnating digital music segment.

While rumors of a subscription service have floated around since the iTunes Store's launch, Apple has consistently taken the position that it has no plans to offer such a model because consumers have not expressed much interest it, although the company has never ruled out the possibility of changing of its mind.

Apple has also been rumored for some time to be talking with record labels about offering a cloud-based service that would permit users to store their purchased iTunes content on Apple's servers and stream it to a variety of Internet-connected devices, although the company has been said to be scaling back its near-term plans for that offering. With the proliferation of iOS-based mobile devices from Apple, customers appear to be increasingly interested in cloud-based services as an alternative to manually syncing content across their devices.

Article Link: Apple Reportedly Working on iTunes Music Subscription Service

 

[dgree03]

If it doesnt match zune pass feature for feature... you blew it.

 

[Sky Blue]

I would sign up for that the very second it was available.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Zune? You can keep that junk.

Music stream service is nice but I think iTunes will also go head to head with Netflix with movies and tv.

 

[OllyW]

I would sign up for that the very second it was available.

I'd like to learn more about it first.

 

[shartypants]

What's the catch? So for $15 a month you could download whatever you wanted? I imagine a lot of top music is excluded? I'd have to see the details on this.

 

[badcrumble]

-streaming your own content, especially via 3G

plus

-streaming from the iTunes Music Store for a subscription fee

plus

-Ping and Genius

plus

-AirPlay

would, all together, mean Apple could pretty much simultaneously take on Pandora, last.fm, Spotify, and pretty much any other competitors.

 

[Elven]

The subscription system, will have to be tier based surely? because otherwise people will just go nuts.

 

[DylanLikesPorn]

renting music is the dumbest thing i ever heard.

 

[Blue Velvet]

After decades of improvements in audio quality, the current market is unfortunately driven by convenience. Realising I'm in a small minority, I'm still waiting for lossless downloads to own, not rent, thanks.

 

[Caliber26]

Nope, no thanks. I like owning and keeping my music and not have a monthly recurring charge looming over me. Besides, I haven't given a single cent of my money to the music industry since the very late 90s. I am a habitual tour-follower/concert-goer so I do support the artists I like. I just refuse to give 'the industry' any of my money. I ain't drinkin' outta the devil's cup!

 

[BayouMan]

Why???

I still can't see the point of adding yet another monthly bill to drain my bank account to rent music. What's the point? It's not like you get songs you can't get anywhere else, Internet Radio is free. Regular radio is free. Pandora is free.

I already have Sirius in my car. I won't even pay extra for it on my computer or mobile phone because the cost is prohibitive. Royalty licensing fees have doubled my Sirius bill in the last year.

I've got well over 300 CDs, most of which I haven't listened to on purpose in over five years. They're all ripped into my computer for my devices.

A new "subscription" music service just amounts to a HUGE waste of effort and resources.

Digital overload!!!!

 

[Digitalclips]

renting music is the dumbest thing i ever heard.

I am moving home at the moment and just packing up all my LPs, Cassettes and CDs .... All is of course long sinced ripped to my iTunes but I just love that ownership feeling ...

 

[Mkz]

I feel sorry for whoever doesn't have Spotify.

 

[bartelby]

After decades of improvements in audio quality, the current market is unfortunately driven by convenience. Realising I'm in a small minority, I'm still waiting for lossless downloads to own, not rent, thanks.

I'm in that minority too, which is why most of my music purchases are still CDs. Renting music is just a waste of money IMO.

 

[nostradukemas]

seems like that would eat up some 2 gig caps pretty quick

 

[MonkeySee....]

What's the catch? So for $15 a month you could download whatever you wanted? I imagine a lot of top music is excluded? I'd have to see the details on this.

Thats just it. It won't be dowloaded music. It will be in the cloud. Maybe starting at 20hrs a month sub, then 40hrs etc. (just like spotify)

Absolutly nothing to store on your hard drive. Joy :-D

This will line up nicely with Apple TV.

 

[iPlaid]

renting music is the dumbest thing i ever heard.

Agree. I want to own my music, and play it where there's no Internet connection, for as many years as I want.

 

[m4c1nt05h]

renting music is the dumbest thing i ever heard.

so is subscription based music where you pay a monthly fee for unlimited downloads or does it mean renting your music like renting a TV show from iTunes where after a certain time it's deleted from your HD?

 

[attila]

My offer: $30 a month to listen to anything, nothing stored on the computer. Works on iPod/iPhone too.

 

[3583582]

I still can't see the point of adding yet another monthly bill to drain my bank account to rent music. What's the point? It's not like you get songs you can't get anywhere else, Internet Radio is free. Regular radio is free. Pandora is free.

That's pretty much the same thing as saying that you don't understand why anyone would buy music when they can listen to radio. With subscription services like this you choose yourself what music you want to listen to. Obviously this is invaluable to a lot of people.

At the same time, it won't cost you a fortune to develop your music taste. You don't hesitate if you want to buy this song..you add it to your playlist. Don't like it, remove it when you're sure and go looking for new songs.

I like the sound of this. I'm not sure what they would do better than Spotify, but if they're embracing the future now it's a good thing.

 

[LondonCentral]

I see most of the arguments against Spotify and how unsustainable the business model is are going out the window now Apple are planning on raping the idea.

If Spotify is owned by 4 of the biggest music labels, how exactly are Apple going to 'do a profitable deal' with the competition AND steal market share at the same time?

It would be far simpler if Apple integrated Spotify into iTunes.

Oh no wait, the whole thing is doomed because every musician on the planet can't afford that new loft apartment down the marina, and a decent van to transport their percussion sets around in. Meh.

I'm going to use my free Spotify account even more now. And listen doubley hard to the free music just to stick it to the man! Nam nam nam....

 

[pagansoul]

I like to own my music and still buy in CDs when I can get them at exchanges and flea markets. The only time I do digital buying is if I just want 1 song. I use Snowtape or Pandora for exploring new music or just listening to streaming. I did try Spotify (free version) and it was fine but I don't need a subscription for music. Right now my only subscription, besides high speed internet, is Netflix.

 

[MonkeySee....]

That's pretty much the same thing as saying that you don't understand why anyone would buy music when they can listen to radio. With subscription services like this you choose yourself what music you want to listen to. Obviously this is invaluable to a lot of people.

At the same time, it won't cost you a fortune to develop your music taste. You don't hesitate if you want to buy this song..you add it to your playlist. Don't like it, remove it when you're sure and go looking for new songs.

I like the sound of this. I'm not sure what they would do better than Spotify, but if they're embracing the future now it's a good thing.

I love spotify. With apples "Genius" feature you could just set up a song and let it go. New artist will be discovered so its win win.

I don't listen to masses of music but i think this is good.

Not sure why everyone is getting in a fit about this??

 

[dvswede]

I think it would be an interesting idea. When I owned a Zune it as tempting. I used to buy at least one CD/Month so paying around $12 for the whole itunes collection sounds like a good deal.

As others have said this would also through genius mixes compete with the likes of Pandora.

My main concern and the reason I don't buy much through iTunes today is that I want BETTER sound quality for when I play it through my home hifi system. For Classical music and some Jazz I can hear the difference (ok not when casually listening but...). This is the only reasons I still buy CDs so that I can rip them to ACC lossless.

I'm also somewhat concerned about their classical selection. My wife has a distinct taste in classical music and many of the album she wants are not available on iTunes.