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Apple to Double iTunes Preview Song Lengths?

CNET reports that amongst the many rumored announcements for Wednesday's event, Apple may also plan on extending iTunes music previews from 30 seconds to at least 60 seconds:

On Wednesday, when Apple CEO Steve Jobs takes the stage at the company's annual September media event, he is expected to announce that iTunes users will be allowed at least twice the amount of time to sample a song, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the move.

The move is said to address criticisms that 30 seconds simply isn't enough time to preview a song.

Apple is also said to be focusing on their constant improvements in the iTunes music discovery experience. Meanwhile, Apple is not expected to announce any iTunes cloud plans so soon. According to CNET, the necessary agreements are still not in place.

Update: The original report has been updated to clarify that the previews will likely be extended to 90 seconds in length.

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19 months ago
Thank god:D
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19 months ago
I would really like this change. Sometimes when you are trying to find new music a little more time to listen can really help you decide if you want to purchase it or not.
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19 months ago
The 30 second preview isn't enough. It seems to always miss the hook.
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19 months ago
This helps a bit but iTunes really needs full length previews. Sucks buying a song and finding out it dies halfway through. I now only buy ones I know I like before hand.
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19 months ago

The 30 second preview isn't enough. It seems to always miss the hook.


Or it only catches the best 30 seconds of the song. You buy and find out the song is utter crap otherwise. I have a handful like that.
I'd love a full 25 kbps preview myself. Not enough to make me want to rip it off but enough to hear it all. I know I used to preview full albums before and it was not until the second or third go around that I suddenly enjoyed the album.
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19 months ago


Good to hear!
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19 months ago
It would also be helpful for when I forget the name of a song and have to listen to them to figure it out :p
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19 months ago
Maybe we will get unlimited streaming:D
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19 months ago
GREAT!

I always wish they'd start from the 0:00 (or 0:20) mark and just let it play for more then 30 sec.

1 Min is really all I need. . . ;)
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19 months ago
This is great, but where are the iTunes Apple Lossless downloads? I haven't bought a single track of iTunes since the very beginning because they do not offer lossless tracks for purchase. I know a lot of people use iPods and crappy speakers to listen to their music, but considering iTunes has a built in "convert all tracks to 128kbps before sync" option, it really is stupid to not sell lossless now.

I guess I will just have to keep on buying physical CDs and ripping them to lossless.
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