Apple readies iTunes for Beatles juice, says report
Didn't notice that the lights had changed
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Apple is making an announcement about its iTunes music service later today, which has led to frenzied speculation about what fanbois can expect to hear from the Jobsian outfit.
Chief among the rumours is that the company will finally be releasing the Beatles’ back catalogue via its iTunes store, which we are quite sure we rightly channelled through Yoko Ono via the wonders of Twitter just yesterday.
It’s hardly surprising to see the Beatles-on-iTunes claim rise again, given that it’s a timeless classic in the world of tech reporting.
Ever since Apple birthed iTunes, the service has been bereft of the Fab Four, in part due to a long-running trademark battle between the Steve Jobs-run firm and the Beatles' old record label Apple. That was finally settled in 2007, since when rumours have continuously circulated suggesting that the band’s music will finally hit iTunes.
But it hasn’t happened – yet.
Now the Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple’s iTunes store will indeed begin flogging Beatles’ tunes at some point in the near future.
The newspaper cites “people familiar with the situation”, and said a deal was supposedly agreed just last week between Apple and EMI Group Ltd, which is the Beatles current record label.
Neither company have confirmed that such a meeting took place, and the WSJ warned that the agreement might not stick.
Then cut to Apple’s teaser on its website’s homepage yesterday about an iTunes announcement today “that is just another day. That you’ll never forget” and, well, you get the picture.
However, the Beatles iTunes hype isn’t the only rumour doing the rounds today. There have been suggestions that Apple is about to unveil a new cloud-based service, or that it could start streaming music, even though the company doesn’t have a licensing deal in place.
Even Lord Alan “You’re Fired” Sugar has been speculating on Twitter about Apple’s announcement.
“Beatles now agreed their music to go on iTUNES maybe has something to do with the 50 year copyright running out on some of the songs,” he sagely pondered.
Who knows or even really cares? Either way, check back later when we’ll have the official word on what’s hit iTunes. ®
COMMENTS
An entitled title
Talk about the non-event of the year! Sheesh. Those who like the Beatles will have already either bought the vinyl, then the tapes, then the CDs or they'll have downloaded them. I rather doubt the yoof of today, ie the only ones that actually use iTunes to buy music are going to be that interested in 45 year old music that doesn't involve bling, capping someone's ass or plaiting one's fingers.
I can see why EMI capitulated though, they are in deep shit now that everyone is leaving the sinking ship. Ah karma, what a wonderful thing!
hit 40 already
One question I do have: does the album art in iTunes download automatically when a new CD is ripped? Reason for asking was an iTunes user that was surprised by how complete my album art was in my collection.
I am with you Fuzzy Wotnot. Wide music range. I purchase original CDs and ripped them up myself which was a long, long process. If the artwork was missing, I scanned the cover and dropped it in the folder, if the titles were incorrect or the contributing artists were wrong or missing, I updated it.
How stinking lazy are people to think that one band hitting iTunes is like mana falling from the sky. Another proclamation from on high from Jobs and his acolytes? I don't use iTunes. I don't own any Apple products. I am perfectly happy without them.
Oh God. Here comes the fanboi downvotes. Some of the non-Apple (linux and windows) folks out there at least help me get a par on this one!
The title is unimportant, but must contain letters and/or digits.
A little too late, anyone who wants their songs will already have the recent remasters.
-1 for the use of "fanboi", which is becoming really old now...
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