According to Billboard.com Apple is planning to launch a digital music service. The market, currently dominated by PressPlay and MusicNet, seems to be growing altough it still can't oppose against the illegal file sharing networks, where music can be downloaded for free.
The download service that would be provided by Apple would be backed by the five major record labels, and would probably allow _only_ Apple user to download the music and play it on Apples portable MP3 player iPOD and trough Apples music software iTunes.
Details about how the service will function are unclear. However, the offering -- the first music service tailored to Apple users, who represent less than 3% of the PC market -- is expected to be tied to the company's iTunes digital jukebox and allow for the download and transfer of tracks to its popular iPod portable player. Thus far, the iPod plays only MP3 files, but it has the capability to be upgraded to play more secure formats. |
Apple has avoided digital rights management due to its restrictive nature. As Jobs said in an interview with Bulletin last year, "We think consumers need the rights and have the rights to listen to their legally acquired music however they want, on whatever devices they own."
Till now these are all rumors, and Apple has not confirmed the news yet, however if the company goes trough with this, it might be a success. Apple users have proven to be willing to spend some extra cash on many things, so why not on music ? Read the entire story here.
Source: Billboard.com
