Comments on: Why would Steve Jobs rent music on iTunes?

By: Josh Ruggeberg, Dallas, Texas

Josh Ruggeberg, Dallas, Texas — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 01:40:38 +0000

Apple is being a bit archaic with this one. Though, if the deal went through it would be "all the rage" amongst our less informed(scared) group of musicheads, whom are unaware of the dozens of "FREE" p2p's. If Apple strikes an affordable deal and makes a simple user-friendly way of searching,downloading and uploading the music then, with their immense and quite loyal customer base, this will be a huge hit.

By: Denise, Kansas City

Denise, Kansas City — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:07:03 +0000

I've been paying for a Rhapsody subscription for a couple of years now and LOVE IT! I can change out what's on my mp3 player whenever I feel like it, new, old, etc. And, the $12-$15 a month is significantly less than I was paying for downloading songs (which I would quickly bore of).

Sadly, my iPod has been laying idle in a drawer since it isn't compatible with the Rhapsody service. I would be so excited if Apple would create a subscription service (really, why can't they?) for those who want it. And, I'd quickly dump my Sansa player (Rhapsody To Go) in favor of that cute little iPod in my drawer.

By: G, Philadelphia, PA

G, Philadelphia, PA — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:31:16 +0000

Most every music download site offers membership…Napster, Rhapsody/MTV, Yahoo. I hear what Steve Jobs is saying about renting music, but at the same time, he has such a monopoly on MP3 players and how easy it is to download that everything he says just sounds like it's all about the money he might miss making by offering a membership to Itunes.

Hey, I ain't talking smack about Steve Jobs, I finally broke down and got an Ipod. It's fabulous. The best MP3 player I've had to date, the problem is, I've lost much of my music library from my other players since they support other music download sites, and the Ipod doesn't.

I still buy cds because I like have the liner notes, but I do think Itunes could be more user friendly– and more cost effective for the consumer, not just Apple.

By: John, San Jose, Ca

John, San Jose, Ca — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:59:28 +0000

It should not be assumed that this is the first time. Microsoft Zune offers the same subscription deal every since it began.

By: Chris Ovenden, Brighton, UK

Chris Ovenden, Brighton, UK — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 07:54:53 +0000

The reason Apple has to "mess with a good thing" is that major labels are considering licensing p2p. Yep, you heard me right. DRM hasn't worked, the "sue 'em all" policy is on the rocks, ISPs are rejecting filtering… what else can they do?

The iTunes store has so far had everything is its own way in the legal downloads arena, but legalized p2p would change that overnight. The iTMS' 3 million songs are about to be swamped by the tens of millions available on p2p networks. Hence, the change of business plan: lock people in quick, before that happens.

By: Drewbie in LBV, FL

Drewbie in LBV, FL — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 05:27:21 +0000

I can't believe Apple has never done this. I got rid of mine and my wife's ipod a while ago to get a 60GB creative zen and 30 gb gigabeat just for this capability. For $14/month I have 16,000 songs on my player and my wife has several thousand different songs on hers. I am a musician constantly looking for new sounds and used to spend about $2000 a year on CDs. Now I download two or three albums a week from the service, and can listen to it on either laptop or through my home stereo with my media center PC or on either mp3 player anywhere I go. For the same price most people pay for satellite radio to hear other people's playlist, I can listen to any song I want, whenever and wherever I want to hear it.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 04:28:02 +0000

i don't really know why anyone pays for music anyway! you can download it for free from a number of different web sites

By: Troy Port Orange,Florida

Troy Port Orange,Florida — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 04:25:19 +0000

I will not be getting a Ipod period. I get my music from Cd's, Music Choice on Digital Cable, radio.I get plenty of

music I want.

By: mfearing

mfearing — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 02:44:02 +0000

RE: Gregg, Chicago IL -

I have to imagine you work for the businesses involved in renting music. I have never heard one other person say they LOVEd paying a monthly fee to listen to songs. It's sort of like getting excited about paying your phone bill.

So, come on, be honest here, you are workin' for the man on this one right?

By: Gregg, Chicago IL

Gregg, Chicago IL — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 01:25:36 +0000

I have hesitated buying an Ipod for this very reason. Subscription music is fantastic.

I subscribe to Yahoo Music To Go – which ironically named since it's about to 'go away'.

I have a 30gb mp3 player filled with any artist/song that I want to hear. Want to sample the new Sheryl Crow album? No problem. Want to find some good hip-hop your friends reommended? No problem.

Just think of all of the songs you've paid for and 'own' that you would gladly get rid of for a refund. An all-you-can-eat model is perfect for music.

Hey Apple – I have my beat up MP3 ready to trade in for an Ipod

Touch as soon as you bring the subscription option. The time has come.