Apple is reportedly working on a big makeover of its iTunes download store. Bloomberg reports, via unnamed sources, that the changes are some of the biggest for iTunes since it first launched in 2003. The overhaul of iTunes is expected to be made before the end of 2012. Apple has yet to comment on these reports.
The story claims that Apple has plans to link the new version of iTunes more with its iCloud online file storage service. This might allow users to access the videos, music and apps from iTunes across multiple devices more easily. In addition, the story claims that the new version of iTunes could let users share their music more easily with others.
This kind of a feature would likely have to be approved by the major music labels. Bloomberg claims that Apple has been in talks with those big music publishers to secure the rights that would allow the sharing of songs for some kind of fee.
While iTunes remains the biggest single outlet for the purchases of digital music, Apple has seen more competition lately from the likes of streaming music services such as Pandora and Spotify. Microsoft is also planning to launch its Xbox Music service later this year that could offer both download and streaming music options.
Source: Bloomberg