Apple to Introduce Subscription-based iTunes Music Service?

[Kent Pribbernow]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/719/is_apple_working' target='_blank'>http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/719/is_apple_working</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Now that Julia Miller, a former Microsoft maketing and sales heavyweight responsible for promoting Xbox Live, has joined Apple. Analysts are buzzing that Miller will most likely be the person in charge of heading up Apple's secretly-in-the-works subscription-based iTunes music service. According to AppleInsider, analysts they spoke with "expect the company to introduce the service later this year in an effort to compete with similar services from Real Networks and Napster, which offer subscribers access to an unlimited number of music downloads for a small monthly fee. The subscription service would coexist alongside Apple's already successful 99 cents per song model."</i><br /><br />A subscription based iTunes Music service? Interesting. That could possibly be a reason why Apple refused to make its popular iPod digital audio player compatible with RealNetworks Rhapsody service. The only question is whether this model proves popular with iPod users. Frankly I don't much care for the idea of "renting" music, no matter how much content is being offered.

[crstbo623]

For 99 cents a pop, I can give up a candy bar or a soda and buy my music. I buy songs on Itunes and really don't worry about it. I agree, renting is not where it's at for me, but if some people want to, all the better for Apple.

[sojourner753]

Its certainly easier to compete on a numbers level. I've seen Napster's "You do the Math" commecials.

I think it will certainly appeal to people who only think about their music in the short term. If you ever stop paying the monthly, then your library evaporates.

If you "own" the music, then you might never speak to Apple again and theoretically you're okay. Own is in quotes because with DRM ownership is debatable.

My financial adviser and my father always told me that its always better to own then rent.

$.02

[Kevin & Beth Remhof]

I have to say that I'm intrigued by an iTunes subscription model. I'm not a big fan of subscriptions though...

If Apple can come up with a good way to help you discover new tunes (such as pushing them out to you), that would be kind of neat. I just can't see myself coughing up $10-$15 a month for subscriptions. Especially since I've listened to only one album this week. Everything else has been Podcasts.

[Macguy59]

Come on Kent. Your not looking at subscription music the right way :lol:

[Felix Torres]

My financial adviser and my father always told me that its always better to own then rent.

$.02

Actually, with the current housing bubble, there are many parts of the US where renting and investing the difference leads to better long term returns. As long as you're not buying overpriced stock.
Like, say, Apple. :twisted:

Shall we try it one more time?
&lt;sigh>
Subscriptions are a substitute for radio, not for CD collections; they're for exploring music, not filling bookcases. If you know you'll want to listen to a song until you're buried, buy the CD. If you want something new and different every day, then maybe subscriptions are for you. And apparently Apple has decided that maybe there are enough of the latter out there. Or maybe they just finally figured out the tech to do subscriptions...

At least there will be no more talk from Mr Jobs about people wanting to *own* their music...

[Jason Eaton]

As long as you're not buying overpriced stock.
Like, say, Apple. :twisted:

You might want to see an anger managment specialist there, to carry so much repressed hate for a company. I mean seriously, did Apple Commandos raid your house, kill your dog, and abduct your wife? Any valid point in your post seems to evaporate as your strong bias injects a lot of doubt about your motive. :D

On topic,

Can someone explain how a person whose background with an online gaming service instantly turns into music subscriptions?

What if Apple was looking at making an online game section to go after all those people who play hearts, cribbage, and what not... believe it or not there is a high percentage of people who enjoy those games a lot more then the latest version of Doom or Unreal.

[Felix Torres]

As long as you're not buying overpriced stock.
Like, say, Apple. :twisted:

You might want to see an anger managment specialist there, to carry so much repressed hate for a company. I mean seriously, did Apple Commandos raid your house, kill your dog, and abduct your wife? Any valid point in your post seems to evaporate as your strong bias injects a lot of doubt about your motive. :D
l.

Uh, its not bias; I was *literally* quoting professional stock evaluators.

At this point if you do a google search for over-priced stock you'll likely get a link to Apple. ;-)
Its been discussed that much; I thought it was common knowledge...

Google "Motley fool" and Apple and you'll see that Apple stock been selling at P/es that are way out of line with other stocks.

I'm not offended by Apple's existence or anything; I just don't buy into hype...

[Jason Eaton]

Yeah, that would be why a large number of stock brokers have a Buy rating currently on the stock. It must be about to tank!

(Piper Jeffry, Schwab Hedge Equity Fund, Credit Suisse First Boston, J.P. Morgan)

Let alone reports that current projections of Apple show it out three times the growth of the industry (http://www.forbes.com/markets/2005/03/15/0315automarketscan03.html?partner=yahoo&amp;referrer=). They must be about to shut the doors and filing for bankruptcy!

But truely... honestly... what the heck does the stock price have to do with Apple hiring Julia Miller? Your just throwing aimless jabs at the company. Look all I am saying is that I could take you more seriously if you just left that stuff out. It is like you have some sort of private agenda to spread FUD.

edited...

Additional Reading Material (http://www.macobserver.com/reports/applestockwatch/applestockwatch.html)

Thanks for pointing me to Google. It in facts supports my stance. Add Merrill Lynch and Bears Sterns to the list.