Apple plants seed of iTunes for Windows

Soon you won’t need a Mac to strike up your iTunes.

Apple Computer is developing a version of its jukebox software for
Microsoft Windows-based PCs. According to a job posting on the
company’s Web site, it is looking for someone to design and build
“Apple’s newest Consumer Application, iTunes for Windows.”

The Mac maker said on Monday that it would extend its music service to Windows-based machines
by the end of the year, but did not explicitly say that it would do so
through a Windows version of its iTunes. The service, named iTunes
Music Store, is currently only available to Macs.

When Apple released its iPod for Windows, it chose to bundle
jukebox software from MusicMatch with the portable MP3 player rather
than to release a version of iTunes for the Microsoft operating system.

Nonetheless, the iTunes application is an integral part of the
Mac version of the music service, being the software that allows people
to play music, buy songs and transfer them to an iPod. In order to sell
music to play on Windows machines, Apple clearly needs either its own
software or another program to fulfill these functions and to manage
copying restrictions.

An Apple representative declined to comment further on the company’s plans for iTunes and Windows.

In the Mac-only version of iTunes Music Store, Apple offers more
than 200,000 tracks, with most songs selling for 99 cents apiece and
many albums available for $9.99. Those who buy music can use it on up
to three computers and download it to an iPod. Songs can also be burned
to any number of CDs, though only 10 copies of any one mix of tracks
may be made.

Although Apple has made Windows versions of a few of its
titles, most of the Cupertino, Calif.-based company’s software has been
Mac-only, including all of its lifestyle programs–iTunes, iMovie,
iDVD, iSync and iCal.

Source: CNET News.com

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