Apple tablet to mark launch of new digital album format

28 July 2009 11:40 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

We touched on this topic as we brought you news of the much-rumoured tablet PC that Apple is reported to be prepping for a September launch, but the Financial Times is now offering more details on the company's "Cocktail" content scheme.

"Cocktail" is said to be a plan from Apple, with the backing of the major music labels, to try and resurrect the music album format, that ironically, some credit Apple - with its piecemeal iTunes download business model - for destroying.

The FT says: "Recording industry executives said Apple planned to use the larger screen to offer new services such as interactive booklets and liner notes that come along with purchases of entire music CDs".

The report suggests that the "entertainment industry is hoping that Apple, which revolutionised the markets for music players and for phones, can do it again".

Although the new tablet will be used as the shiny new launch pad for the new format, it's thought Apple will ensure at least some content is able to be carried over to the iPhone and iPod touch.

The new downloads will be charged at a higher price, but one anonymous record exec told The Independent this would not put the fans off: "Almost every time we've sold product with extras at a premium price it outsells the normal priced product".

As well as the new interactive digital album format, it's thought Apple is working on content deals with book publishers that will see the new tablet hitting the market as an Amazon Kindle, or Sony Reader rival, although with a colour screen versus the easy-on-the-eye black and white e-ink display the e-book readers offer.