Version User Scope of changes
Apr 15 2007, 11:13 PM EDT (current) Anonymous 6 words added
Mar 24 2007, 1:49 PM EDT jonb 3 words added, 5 words deleted

Changes

Key:  Additions   Deletions

Will Apple add a subscription service? (marked as eventually)


See: Welcome to the Apple Channel

On March 14, 2005, AppleInsider reported that Apple acquired Julia Miller from Microsoft:

During her two-and-a-half-year stint on Microsoft’s XBox Live team, Miller was influential in the branding and successful launch of the service. She brings to Apple more than fifteen years of consumer sales and marketing background, including extensive experience with SegaNet, the first online console gaming service.

Rumors have suggested that Apple has been quietly preparing a subscription-based model for its iTunes music store. Insiders 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, sources said.

AppleInsider's reliability has been questioned for several years, and this rumor is two years old. While other details are spotty, Apple will eventually need to compete against Netflix, Blockbuster, Amazon Unbox, Xbox, Rhapsody, Napster, and TiVo. To do this, they'll need to add a subscription option eventually.