With a major Apple Music refresh likely to be arriving at WWDC, there’s no doubting that Apple sees subscription-based streaming music as the way of the future. But where does this leave iTunes music downloads?
Despite Apple’s denials, according to “sources with close knowledge of the company’s plans,” the company continues to plan to “phase out” music downloads in a “just a few years” — depending on how this whole streaming music thing does, of course!
Exactly when this will happen depends on how rapidly music downloads continue to decline, how quickly Apple Music gains subs, and how an “unstable internal political atmosphere” plays out inside Apple — possibly referring to the Beats vs. Apple culture clash we’ve previously written about.
If this rumor sounds familiar, it’s because it was first reported last month, when the website Digital Music News said that Apple had come up with an internal proposal to eliminate music downloads from iTunes as soon as 2-3 years from now. However, Apple’s media representatives quickly leapt to deny this, with Apple rep Tom Neumayr telling Re/code that it was “not true,” but declining to elaborate further.
Those same sources say that Apple hasn’t dropped its plans in this area, though, although Apple may try and cool rumors in this area by “[doubling] down” on their commitment to iTunes music downloads during next week’s WWDC, where Apple will “definitely not” be announcing plans to ditch music downloads.
Do you think Apple — as a forward-looking company always willing to rip off the metaphorical band-aid by ditching old tech — should get rid of iTunes music downloads to show commitment to changing customer habits? Leave your comments below.
Source: Digital Music Trends
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
17 responses to “Apple rumored to be phasing out iTunes music downloads”
I’m willing to subscribe to just one media provider. At present that is Netflix. If Apple can give a good reason (cost significantly less) to switch to them, I might. Otherwise, I have dropped every company that introduced subscription business models. I enjoy NOT being nickle and dimed to death. I also like that the library of music and shows and movies that I’ve bought from iTunes over the last decade or so is mine. It’s just better for people’s budgets to be able to buy something once vs again and again and again.
Sound like apps are head in that direction as well, next week.
I already buy music from Amazon, this will make it complete. I do not see that I will ever prefer to rent music (especially on my phone, using up phone minutes).
On T-Mobile, Apple Music is already one of the 40 music services in its ‘Music Freedom’ feature (others include: Spotify, Pandora, etc.). Listening doesn’t count against your minutes, unless you listen through a web browser and not the specific music app. That said, there’s a case to made for having your music on your device, especially if you live or spend a lot of time in an area with limited cell coverage. Also, I suspect that in the fine print and legalese of the ‘purchase’ agreement regarding downloaded ‘purchases’ from Apple, that we really don’t own anything permanently.
Hmmm…
Source: Apple’s going to drop downloads!
Apple: Nope.
Source: It’s totally going to happen guys!
I found this rumor to be stupid in the first place and that was totally solidified with Apple’s denial.
You will never get me to stream my music. Between this and the elimination of the 3.5mm headphone jack, Apple is working really hard to lose my business.
bluetooth car stereo.
Car stereo doesn’t help me at work or the gym or just not in the car and bluetooth headsets suck.
Keep in mind that both of the items you mentioned are rumors, one of which (no music downloads) Apple has actually come out and said ‘no’ to.
Will cars one day drive autonomously? Sure. Will we one day stream our music, rather than buy and download it? Sure. In both cases, when the market is ready. What a silly rumour / article this is.
Does this just mean downloading songs from Apple Music will no longer be possible or does it also mean you cannot download songs you purchase also?
All your base are belong to us no more.
Wow this might be an option if you live somewhere with unlimited or very cheap internet. Here in Australia if I had to stream all the music I play I would do through my monthly limit in under a week. if this happens I’m back to buying CD’s or finding another place to buy my music from.
Thanks but no thanks, I don’t want to rely on streaming for my music
With many carriers starting to offer free streaming of say, Pandora and others. Such as Tmobile’s Binge On, I’ll probably never “BUY” another song ever. And I’ll torrent down the album if I REALLLY want it. I welcome a one-time fee for all things streaming whether it be music, movies etc.
I own a ton of music and with all of the available ways to listen to music on the internet, I couldn’t tell you the last time I paid for music. I would not miss iTunes one bit. Pandora, Slacker, iHeart, that’s all I need.
There are places on the planet, where unlimited, high speed internet is not ubiquitous. I am in México and use cellular internet access. Soon I may be back to buying CDs and using WInamp…