'All-you-can-eat' yet another subscription come on
March 20th 2008
Another day and another twist in the evolving it's real / it's bunk story of the "all-you-can-eat" iTunes + iPod price plan saga. Enthusiastically greeted and then apparently successfully debunked, this is a rumor cum genuine news story that's on at least its third life.
News.com revives the story life with an unexpected twist--Universal CEO Doug "iPod owners are thieves" Morris is the driving force.
"These guys at Universal," said one music insider, "are so obsessed with this subscription thing."
Morris is said to have approached Apple with the idea of offering a device with Universal Music's entire library on it, unnamed sources are quoted as saying.
The plan now is to "partner instead of just being a vendor," said a source close to the label.
Specifically, device buyers would get a set time period, perhaps a year to drink in content and thereafter they'd be enticed to pony up for a subscription plan.
Editor's note: The road to hell is paved with gold and I'm willing to bet that Universal's offering a lot. Renting without user rights (time shifting via physical media for example) is a black hole from which we won't return.
When all-you-can-eat was posited as a pay-once proposition, it had appeal. As yet another pay-forever subscription come-on, it shows Universal's true intentions.
Steve, resist the temptation...
What's your take?
