Apple prepping "all-you-can-eat" iTunes?

19 March 2008 9:44 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

The FT reports that Apple is "in discussions" with the big music companies about a radical new business model that would give customers free access to its entire iTunes music library in exchange for paying a premium for its iPod and iPhone devices.

The "all you can eat" plan would work in the same way as Nokia's "Comes With Music" scheme, due to the market in the second half of this year in partnership with Universal.

The FT quotes "executives familiar with the negotiations" say, unsurprisingly, it all hinges on money - namely what Apple will pay the music companies for the unlimited access.

The rumours suggest while Nokia will pay around $80 per handset, Apple has only offered $20 per device. The cost to the consumer is said to be a premium of $100 for unlimited access to music for the lifetime of the device, or a monthly fee of $7-8 for a subscription model.

Full tags

Audio, iPod, Apple, Biz, Music downloads, iPhone