iTunes coming to the cloud?

David Swan
Friday, 22 January 2010 03:58

Your IT - Entertainment

Apple is in talks with with the major record labels to introduce a free music streaming service on iTunes, if online sources are to be believed.

The rumour follows Apple’s acquisition of US streaming site Lala late last year, for $US 17 million in cash and stock. The service is likely to allow iTunes users to backup and stream their music libraries.

Apple already has significant cloud experience, as their MobileMe service includes online file storage, and their acquisition of LaLa would point to something streaming-related being in the pipeline.

Michael Robertson, CEO of MP3.com, wrote on TechCrunch that a cloud-based iTunes is on the way, in his opinion. “An upcoming major revision of iTunes will copy each user’s catalogue to the net making it available from any browser or internet connected ipod/touch/tablet.”

According to Robertson, Apple's main point of difference is that a streaming iTunes service wouldn't be subscrption based, as others are. After talking to "various insider sources", Robertson claims that "it’s clear there is no upcoming Apple subscription service and Apple has far different plans (to other services).'

Apple has already introduced 30-second song samples on its iTunes Preview site, but Robertson speculates it may introduce a new iTunes.com system that will allow users to buy songs and albums without even needing to download the iTunes software.

It remains unclear if the service would only be available to backup songs purchased from the iTunes store, or a user's entire library. That is, if the service even sees the light of day! As is always the case with Apple, we'll have to wait and see.