Apple considers Total iTunes Access

I must confess, I am not an IPod owner *gasp*. I know…I know…, but before you lose all respect for me let me explain myself. I was torn between Apple’s IPod and Microsoft’s Zune, and researched them both before finally settling with Zune. There were many features that attracted me to the Zune; the built in Wifi (which the IPod didn’t have at the time), the built in radio tuner, and the ability to share files wirelessly, all great features, but honestly, features I could live without. What sold me was Microsoft’s Zune Pass Service. Zune Pass allows users complete access to download, stream, and sync the entire Zune catalog for $14.99/month. Since my purchase, more than a year ago, I have yet to question my choice, but Apple’s recent negotiations may force me to take a look of my MP3 choice.

According to the Financial Times Apple may be in negotiations with recording labels to allow consumers to pay one price for access to the entire ITunes music catalog. According to a source close to the deal, Apple is considering a premium rate for iPods or IPhones similar to the Nokia “comes with music” deal with Universal Music last December. An anonymous executive familiar with the negotiations, said that Apple offered the music companies $20 per device, while Nokia has offered $80 for premium subscriptions. One executive said the research had shown that consumers would pay a premium of up to $100 for unlimited access to music for the lifetime of the device, or a monthly fee of $7-$8 for a subscription model. Subscriptions would work only for iPhone devices, where it has a monthly billing relationship with customers through the mobile phone operators offering the device, while the premium up front model would work with iPhones and iPods.

To be honest, am not sure if I’m ready to pay an extra $100 for an IPod, but I would seriously entertain the IPhone if it allowed an “all-you-can-eat” monthly subscription service. I think what’s surprising is how long it has taken the usually trend setting Apple so long to negotiate this type of deal. What do you think? What MP3 player are you currently using? Is total access to ITunes worth money?