Apple\'s Pay-per-song Music Service Due This Month

The current buzz around Apple Computer centers mostly around an in-house music download service integrated directly into iTunes, the company’s digital music jukebox software. Rolling Stone has even written about such a service, which will be backed by almost all of the major record labels. As the public unveiling of this service draws near, details have begun to emerge.

Sources are reporting that the service will be built directly into iTunes, suggesting an anticipated update to Apple’s digital jukebox software. This version of iTunes will permit users to purchase music on a per-song basis, allowing the user to preview 30-second streamed audio clips of selected songs. Purchasing songs will be as simple as clicking a button once having signed up for Apple’s 1-Click purchasing, similar to how ordering prints is implemented in iPhoto.

Once a song is purchased, it is download directly into the user’s music library just like any other track. Tracks purchased online will be able to be burned to CD, although the format of the audio remains unclear. Sources have suggested that purchased songs may be downloaded in AAC format, upon which the user can ‘rip’ the selected track to an MP3 to allow it to be burned to a CD. iTunes does not currently support the AAC format.

Unlike most other online music services, which require a monthly fee, Apple’s will charge on a per item basis. As one source said, “you pay for what you buy, no more.”

Apple will store all the music on their servers, which will be accessible through iTunes. It is unknown whether a version of the service will be available to Windows users, or if the company’s marketing teams will use the Mac-exclusive nature of the service as another reason to ‘switch’ to Macintosh. Users may choose to download individual tracks for a reasonable fee, or purchase an entire album at a substantial discount.

Currently the service is set to launch on April 28th, although, this date could very well change due to the vicissitudes and penchant for chicanery of Apple leadership. Also expected are updated iPods, an update to iTunes that will support the new music service, AAC audio, and Rendezvous music sharing, as demonstrated last year. Stay tuned to AppleInsider for more details.

NewOrder helped contribute to this report