Rumors of iTunes Subscriptions Don’t Quite Ring True

Pete Mortensen ()

Though the Financial Times is without question a vastly more reliable source than most places that spawn rumors of Apple’s impending moves, I just can’t convince myself to buy into reports that Apple wants to create a monthly iTunes subscription plan or all-you-can eat music business model with the purchase of an iPod or iPhone. It isn’t their style

While denials from Steve Jobs are usually a good way to spot what he’s working on, this is an area where he has remained steadfast. He believes that people want to own their music, and I believe that he’s right. Sure, I love to sample music as much as anyone else, but the songs that I keep are really personal to me. Renting music just doesn’t work out. Even if Nokia is doing it, too.

Moreover, the monthly subscription business model is one that Apple hasn’t ever offered before to anyone. Not for movies, TV, or software. In fact, Apple’s only experience of recurring payments are with the iPhone’s service fees, which the company gets just a small slice of. There are far too many accounting headaches to resolve to make it worthwhile, and the record companies are angry at Apple. At Apple’s restaurant, they dine ala carte.

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About the author

Petemortensen

Pete Mortensen is a design strategist for consulting firm Jump Associates and the co-author of Wired to Care: How Companies Prosper When They Create Widespread Empathy, a book and blog that are significantly more interesting than you might initially think. Pete's particular Apple avocations are both around design--interface and industrial. Follow him on Twitter!

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Posted in iTunes, Rumors | Tagged: , , , |

  • http://www.words.gmax.be gmax

    … and the record companies are angry at Apple.

    That’s why they are working on their own renting models. To bypass Apple. So Apple might just be working on it’s own renting model, just in case ?!

  • iburl

    ” Apple’s only experience of recurring payments are with the iPhone’s service fees”… and dot mac

  • http://clicknathan.com/secretblog nathan

    I can’t see how it would hurt to offer either the ability to let users buy and own their music or get in on a monthly subscription plan.

    I think a monthly subscription for renting movies and TV shows would at least be very beneficial. If Netflix didn’t hate on all Mac users and force you to use IE, I would definitely go with those guys vs. ever renting from iTunes, and I’m assuming that given the vast pricing difference (and Netflix unlimited online movie watching) most people would agree.