Comments on: Apple finally ready for iTunes subscriptions?

Three separate reports came out this afternoon--with very similar details--that Apple is preparing to introduce a music subscription service on iTunes.

[mchinsky]

I've used Rhapsody for years. I hate "buying" music as other than "classic rock" I don't listen to anything they make these days very long i'd rather put together (or let others) a playlist on any topic and not worry how much it costs.

[shehzad]

I been waiting( for iTune rental service) for years and hopefully Apple will launch this year. I think Apple sould offer combo deal with music videos, tv episodes and movies included with one price(for Canada too).

[mnovickar]

I've been hearing this speculation for years.

How about fixing the MobileMe and iPhone issues, then, and only then, even consider launching a new service?

Amazon's MP3 store to the rescue. I want to own my music, thanks.

Tech-news: http://www.chilipress.com/technology.php

[achris01]

yeh the uk always ends up paying more than double compared to the rest of the world!
achris

[cvaldes1831]

The Beatles rumor again? Ahahahahahaha!!!!

Tom, you're OK in my book. Thanks for the laugh! :)

[SFDaniel]

Clearly, not a lot of math majors on this blog. A few ways of looking at it - but first - a subscription service is not for "trying" music - it is for loading/unloading on compatible devices - as opposed to buying the track. The benefit of this is if you delete a track or lose your computer or it crashes, you do not lose your music.

A medium, 4,000 song collection would cost you $4,000 on a per song basis or maybe 10-20% less if you buy albums or in bulk. You could have those songs & sync to devices for $120-$180 per year under current (various) subscription services - whci would mean 20+ years before you would spend $4,000 on a static amount of music - the subscription route makes complete sense.

Or, if you normally buy 2 cds per month to add to your existing collection - the subscription service still makes sense, as its cheaper and still offers more variety. And if you are worried about obsolesence or companies going out of business - well, they do, but they usually work out deals to transfer services (like Yahoo to Rhapsody).

So for those of you thinking a subscription service is too expensive - do the math.