Rumor: Apple to Offer Music Subscription Service

An anonymous tipster e-mailed MacDailyNews to say that Apple will hold a special media event in late September that will debut the company’s first subscription music service, called iTunes Unlimited. We have our doubts, because this isn’t the first time this rumor has gone around, and because Steve Jobs has repeatedly said that he doesn’t believe people want to rent music, saying that consumers tend to watch a movie just once or twice, but they tend to listen to music they like many times over and would prefer to own it.

Nonetheless, we’ll report ‘em as we hear ‘em. iTunes Unlimited will cost $130 per year, or $100 if you’re already a MobileMe subscriber, according to the tipster. There will be “Get” options for about half of the iTunes Store’s U.S. music catalog, and there will also be a “Buy and Keep” button if you want to purchase anything for use after the subscription expires.

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