News Apple eyes broader iTunes services

Is Steveo's Mob looking at other purchasing models for iTunes? Could be, according to reports around t'internet today. It seems that there is a possibility of the company offering a subscription based service a'la Napster as well as the iTMS that we all know and love already. ElReg dishes up a slice of rented pie:

Apple's online music ambitions are broadening - if the latest round of rumours are anything to go by. The Mac maker is said to be in talks to acquire digital music start-up HipSolve Media, and to have made a hire that could indicate it is laying the groundwork for the launch of a music subscription service.

According to a Think Secret report, Apple has offered $3.6m to HipSolve's owners, who are claimed to be talking to a number of possible buyers and/or investors.

HipSolve offers iHoopla, a Windows-based music distribution system the company has so far pitched toward labels as a low-cost means of selling DRM-protected music direct to customers, eliminating go-betweens like... er... the iTunes Music Store from the supply chain. It also offers a version for e-tailers to take out franchises from the labels, and there's also a version pitched at movie makers.

More here

AppleInsider also has news on this possible move.