There seems to be no doubt that Apple is preparing to launch its own cloud computing service for its iTunes music business. Now Bloomberg Businessweek has posted up an article that supposedly reveals more info on how this new service will work. As we have reported before, Apple has reportedly been making license deals with the major music publishers and labels to gain the rights to use their music for the cloud service, which will allow users to play their music collection via an Internet connection without the need to download the actual file.
The article points out that two of Apple's biggest rivals in the music download business, Google and Amazon.com, have already launched their own cloud-based music services but so far they have yet to catch on with consumers. That will likely change with Apple's entry since its iTunes music download store is now the single biggest retailer of music.
According to the article, which uses unnamed sources, Apple's 'iCloud" service "will be able to scan customers' digital music libraries in iTunes and quickly mirror their collections on its own servers." If for some reason a person's music library contains low quality versions of the music tracks, Apple will replace them on the cloud server with high quality versions, according to the sources.
And just how much will this service cost iTunes customers? While there's no definitive word on that the article says that Apple might add cloud music space into its MobileMe service. That currently costs $99 a year. At the moment, Apple is expected to preview the service this June at its Worldwide Developers Conference.
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