Update: This is believed to be fake.
A number of Apple rumor sites, including MacRumors, have received an anonymous tip purporting to describe details of a "Late September Apple Event". The source describes MobileMe upgrades that will allow the iPhone and iPod touch to access a user's iDisk storage, as well as the introduction of "iTunes Unlimited", a yearly subscription model for digital music.
MobileMe, iPhone, iPod Touch
-Enable disk use
-When enabled for disk use, iDisk folder accessible
-iDisk app
-Viewable formats can be opened, other formats grayed out
-Button to sync with MobileMe
-Photo syncing support via MobileMe
-October launch
iTunes Unlimited
-256 Kbps music; highest quality digital music subscription service ever
-50% of U.S. store available for iTunes Unlimited at launch, U.S.-only launch
-Available through iTunes or retail box a la MobileMe, funds applied through iTunes gift cards cannot be used towards subscription purchase
-$129.99 stand-alone or $179.99 with MobileMe, current MobileMe subscribers can add iTunes Unlimited for $99.99
-One-year subscription period
-Current a la carte options unchanged
-When signed in to subscription account, Buy is Get
-Download and Play throughout iTunes Unlimited Subscription or Buy and Keep
-Buy and Keep option available for downloaded subscription songs, purchased version replaces subscription version
- Late October launch with iTunes 7.8
Despite previous comments from Eddy Cue and Steve Jobs expressing some opposition to subscription-based models for digital music, the concept of an "iTunes Unlimited" service has persisted for a number of years due to the popularity of the business model with other music services. Of recent note, CNNMoney.com reported on such rumors in April 2007, and they were revived once again in March 2008 by the Financial Times, which reported that Apple was offering music labels only $20 per device for unlimited access to the iTunes catalog.
Readers should note that anonymous submissions made to multiple rumor sites are generally false, but we are publishing it due to long-standing popularity of the "iTunes Unlimited" rumor and the fact that several other rumors sites have reported on this, making it a significant topic of discussion in the rumor community.
