14 DAY TRIAL // Apple’s efforts to overhaul its business includes not only an increased focus on software and investments in more affordable hardware, but also streamlining its product offering.
And according to a recent report, this could involve phasing out iTunes completely, as the company has already reached out to several publishers to inform of upcoming changes planned for the music service.
An email called “The end of iTunes LPS” and signed by “The Apple Music Team” was obtained by British newspaper Metro, who writes that there’s a good chance that Apple migrates towards a subscription model, planning to stop selling music downloads entirely.
The iTunes LP format is being used by Apple to allow iTunes publishers to include several extras with their content, like interactive artwork. It’s been used since 2009 and will be abandoned next year, if the cited email is real.
“Apple will no longer accept new submissions of iTunes LPS after March 2018,” the email reportedly reads. “Existing LPs will be deprecated from the store during the remainder of 2018. Customers who have previously purchased an album containing an iTunes LP will still be able to download the additional content using iTunes Match.”
Moving to a subscription-based business model
While this isn’t the first time when Apple is believed to be planning the demise of its music download service, the company sending publishers emails to inform of the approaching retirement of iTunes LPs is seen as one huge step towards the transition to a subscription-based service.
Killing off iTunes, however, won’t happen overnight. While it goes without saying that content that’s already purchased won’t be lost, existing customers will be provided with options when the time comes, especially because Apple needs to keep its userbase if it indeed transitions to a new business model.
Analysts estimate that Apple Music could become the leading music streaming service in the United States as soon as this year if it indeed manages to overtake Spotify.