BYE-TUNES?
Apple DENIES rumoured plans to kill iTunes – music platform will live on
The tech giant isn't going to scrap music downloads after all, despite rumours to the contrary
APPLE has denied rumours suggesting it plans to axe iTunes for good, The Sun can reveal.
Speaking to The Sun, an Apple spokesperson said "it's not true" regarding rumours that the iPhone maker was looking to scrap music downloads because of the popularity of its Apple Music streaming service and rivalry with platforms like Spotify.
2
According to leaked reports, iTunes would be phased out by March 31, 2019.
DJMag reported that sources inside Apple would be stopping music downloads entirely next year.
But Apple has firmly denied that it is scrapping or altering iTunes.
Apple introduced the iTunes LP format in 2009 as part of its bid to usher albums into the online age.
2
It allows users to purchase individual songs or whole albums digitally.
But this revolution in music consumption - which ended the shelf life of CDs and helped shut record shops like HMV - has been short lived.
Now even music downloads are obsolete, with streaming services potentially dooming iTunes to the recycle bin.
While Apple apparently informed industry insiders of its decision two weeks ago, Metro shared the details of a leaked letter titled "The End of iTunes LPs" today.
Is this what your next Apple iPhone will look like?
In the letter, Apple adds that those customers who have already purchased an iTunes LP will still be able to download the additional content through iTunes Match: Apple's cloud-based music storage service, which costs £19.99 per year.
Rumours of iTunes' death have been circulating since 2016.
Back then, a (that was later rebuffed by Apple) suggested the service would be killed off in 2018.
MOST READ IN TECH
Meanwhile, Apple Music is going from strength to strength, with The Wall Street Journal predicting its tally of paying subscribers will overtake Spotify in the US this summer.
Globally, though, Spotify remains far ahead with 70 million subscribers, compared to Apple Music's 36 million user base.
Yesterday we revealed that Spotify is launching a new free service that allows you to pick individual songs.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368 . We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.