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Monday, 19 May 2008 Apple makes mobile iTunes plans - report

Apple may plan a mobile iTunes Store, report suggests

Jonny Evans

Apple has approached some major labels in an effort to expand the number of ringtones and other content it offers iPhone users through iTunes.

Citing sources, a report from the New York Times notes the company to have commenced such negotiations, which are described as “very active right now”, with the proviso that “a final deal has not been set.”

Industry insiders expect Apple to introduce the ramped-up mobile content collection through iTunes in June. Apple is reportedly also looking to make answer tones available for purchase through its service - these are tones people hear when calling someone up and waiting for an answer.

But the crux of the report hangs near the end, where the report states: “Also under discussion is whether Apple can sell songs from its iTunes store directly to iPhones over the cell-phone broadband network.”

It appears labels want to charge more money for songs sold over-the-air (though why it should cost more for what is essentially no more than an alternative means of data transfer is a puzzle).

Negotiations began just a few weeks ago, with Universal Music wanting Apple to include music subscription services with some iPhones.

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