No iTunes subscriptions?
September 4th 2008
To date, we think we've learned quite a bit about Apple Event scheduled for next Tuesday. From iTunes 8 and its Genius functionality to new, lower-priced iPods, there are a lot of rumors out there that may be more or less true.
The long-standing rumor that Apple will announce an iTunes subscription service, along the lines of "Comes with Music," however, hasn't gotten much attention.
News.com's Greg Sandoval attempts to put that deficit right by pouring cold water on the notion Apple's Let's Rock event will be the venue for a roll out or any other music content announcements. [Continue reading]
Sure, this suggests that Apple is gearing up for a music announcement. The trouble is, nobody in music appears to know anything about it. My sources say that they don't expect Apple to announce anything to do with music content, and they are sure Apple won't be rolling out an iTunes music subscription service.
Sandoval might be talking to the right people and have his facts right. Still, the music business isn't nearly as monolithic as it once was, ie 40% of purchased music in the US doesn't come from the majors and that number's a lot higher depending on geography and genre.
Would Apple launch without the majors? Probably not. But a coalition of independents and one major might be doable.
Again, Sandoval might have it right, but Apple has a ways of surprising even the most informed. After all, that's what makes Apple, Apple...
What's your take?
