"Hey Siri" support and possibly wireless charging case alongside AirPower charging mat.
Apple Aiming to End iTunes Music Downloads in Two Years [Update: Apple Says 'Not True']
Apple allegedly has an aggressive plan to "terminate" music downloads from iTunes within two years, reports Digital Music News citing sources with "close and active business relationships" with Apple.
Apple is also rumored to be considering a three to four year timeline for the shutdown of iTunes downloads, but overall discussions with Apple executives are said to focus "not on if, but when" the company should retire music downloads. Termination of music downloads could be staggered by country based on the popularity of streaming content in different regions.
Back to the story, the sources indicated that a range of shutdown timetables are being considered by Apple, though one executive noted that "keeping [iTunes music downloads] running forever isn't really on the table anymore." Also under discussion is a plan to "ride the [iTunes music download offering] out for the next 3-4 years, maybe longer," when paid music downloads are likely to be an afterthought in a streaming-dominated industry. [...]The timeline is unclear because Apple's iTunes business continues to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars each year, but it is on the decline due to the rise of streaming music services. According to music industry Mark Mulligan, iTunes music downloads will be worth $600 million in 2019, down from $3.9 billion in 2012. Mulligan believes Apple's download business could be 10 times smaller than its streaming music business by 2020.
According to one source, an initial shutdown could take place in 'tier 1' countries like the United States, UK, and leading countries in Europe and Asia, with 'tier 2' and 'tier 3' countries experiencing a staggered shutdown in subsequent years.
Apple is also said to be considering ending music downloads due to the confusion it causes with Apple Music, mixing downloaded music purchases with Apple Music content.
Late last month, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that Apple Music now has 13 million paying subscribers, up from 11 million users in February. Apple Music originally launched on June 30, 2015 in more than 100 countries and at its current growth rate, Apple is on track to have 15 million subscribers at its one-year anniversary.
Update: Apple rep Tom Neumayr contacted Recode and said the report that Apple would stop iTunes music downloads in two years is "not true."
Tags: iTunes, Apple Music
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34 months ago
This would be a big mistake I think.
I have no plans to ever subscribe to Apple Music or any subscription service, so if they shut down paid iTunes downloads, they'll be losing money from me every month, and my money would be shifted to other companies to buy my music, like Amazon or the physical CDs.
Don't do it, Apple.
I have no plans to ever subscribe to Apple Music or any subscription service, so if they shut down paid iTunes downloads, they'll be losing money from me every month, and my money would be shifted to other companies to buy my music, like Amazon or the physical CDs.
Don't do it, Apple.
34 months ago
Oh go ahead and do it, Apple. Give me a reason to break away from the Apple ecosystem....
34 months ago
...but, why?
Because 8GB and 16GB devices are here to stay forever, I imagine :D.
34 months ago
Apple is also said to be considering ending music downloads due to the confusion it causes with Apple Music, mixing downloaded music purchases with Apple Music content.
The village called. They're missing their idiot.
34 months ago
I would be quite upset about this. I still buy CD's from bands I care about for lossless rips, but use iTunes downloads for a lot of stuff I care less about. I have zero interest in streaming music.
34 months ago
Well thats a stupid idea. I don't want to have to stream my music all the time (even if it is downloaded to my phone). I want to buy a song when and where I want. Guess I'll either go back to buying CD's or *gasp* torrenting...
Apple got the world to change their minds about paying for music and now this? Its like a complete 180.
Apple got the world to change their minds about paying for music and now this? Its like a complete 180.
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