Such a change would lead to more flexibility for users, since they’ll be able to download music they’ve already purchased on their iPhones or iPads without syncing with their computers. But it’s still no music streaming service — one that would allow consumers to listen to music streaming over the web, instead of downloading — which has been the main thrust of iTunes revamp rumors since Apple purchased streaming music company Lala in late 2009.
[aditude-amp id="flyingcarpet" targeting='{"env":"staging","page_type":"article","post_id":246796,"post_type":"story","post_chan":"none","tags":null,"ai":false,"category":"none","all_categories":"business,media,","session":"D"}']Bloomberg’s sources say Apple is negotiating the unlimited download deal with music companies including Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, EMI, and Vivendi Universal.
In addition to letting users access their music collections without synchronizing to their computers, the download deal would also serve as an unlimited backup for users’ music. Additionally, it could serve as a stepping stone to a future iTunes music streaming service. Apple would need a robust infrastructure to let users stream media without interruption, and offering unlimited downloads would be a first step towards providing that.
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