Brian Garner
Confirming earlier reports, sources inside Apple have confirmed that it has indeed acquired music streaming service Lala. The specific terms of the deal have not been released as of Friday evening.
According to reports by the New York Times, Lala had actively sought out Apple after Lala executives concluded that prospects for turning a profit in the short term were slim.
Lala allows its users to stream any song in its 8 million strong song library once, with the option for unlimited streaming at 10 cents per track and 79 cents for permanent MP3 download.
This acquisition would allow Apple to integrate full-song streaming into iTunes and opens up possibilities for Pandora-like streaming radio on anything that can run iTunes, including the iPhone, iPod Touch, and Mac systems.
In October, Lala, along with iLike, entered a partnership with Google to allow users to quickly discover song previews, artist info, pictures, video and more. Currently, Google searches for artists or songs can return a full, streaming, embedded song at the top of results, courtesy of Lala.
According to the AP, Lala founder Bill Nguyen had demonstrated an iPhone app in October which would have allowed users to buy streaming rights to a song for 10 cents each. Using "intelligent caching," it allowed tracks to load in seconds and allowed playback even in areas without cell phone coverage. This app was never released to the public.
Apple has a large war chest of nearly $31.1 billion in cash and investments, giving it the largest net-cash sum of any technology company.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
72 Comments
Umm.... why not fold this update into the prior thread (let alone the dramatic red font).
Umm.... why not fold this update into the prior thread (let alone the dramatic red font).
People who say "Umm...." repeatedly when they speak are hard to listen to.
I assume that, when people say "Umm...." it's not something that is consciously/intentionally said.
But why do some people type "Umm...." instead of just typing their question or statement?
I also assume that when someone types "Umm...." it is consciously/intentionally typed.
People who say "Umm...." repeatedly when they speak are hard to listen to.
I assume that, when people say "Umm...." it's not something that is consciously/intentionally said.
But why do some people type "Umm...." instead of just typing their question or statement?
I also assume that when someone types "Umm...." it is consciously/intentionally typed.
I intentionally say OR type Umm, before I say OR write something sarcastic
Doh !
People who say "Umm...." repeatedly when they speak are hard to listen to.
I assume that, when people say "Umm...." it's not something that is consciously/intentionally said.
But why do some people type "Umm...." instead of just typing their question or statement?
I also assume that when someone types "Umm...." it is consciously/intentionally typed.
I intentionally say OR type Umm, before I say OR write something sarcastic
Doh !
Umm... I believe we should move on gentleman. I'm interested to see what Apple does with this move. I personally won't pay a subscription for music but I'm hoping they have better plans.
10 cents each time I want to stream a song? WTF, why not just rob me. I can go to youtube and stream whatever I want for free. I hope Apple gets rid of the ridiculous 10 cent charge. I currently use last.fm and hearing this I wish apple bought them instead.