Apple Plans to Bring iTunes to the Web

Apple's purchase of Lala last week is paving the way for the company to bring iTunes to web, according to the WSJ.

Apple reportedly paid $85 million for Lala.com, a service which lets users buy and listen to music through a Web browser, meaning customers can access their purchases as long as they are connected to the Internet.

Apple is considering using this model for iTunes. That would mean customers could make purchases without needing to download a software application. Record companies wouldn't discuss the possibility publicly but the WSJ says they are optimistic about online purchases but concerned about Apple becoming more powerful in the industry.


Lala executives are apparently being given important roles in shaping the future of iTunes. "It's our understanding that the Lala guys are going to be in very significant roles," says one person who has been briefed on Apple's plans.

The WSJ has heard that even before the sale was finalized on Friday, Lala Chairman Bill Nguyen and Eddy Cue, Apple's vice president of Internet services, began making joint calls to various business partners and record labels to discuss possibilities for the music service's future.

Its also possible that Apple could use Lala's streaming technology to offer a subscription service. Users would pay monthly or yearly for unlimited access to the iTunes catalog.

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