Is Apple Trying To Sneakily Introduce A Spotify rival?

This morning I reported that Apple has been informing music labels of changes to the iTunes store that will triple the length of music previews.

This change will now allow users to listen to the first 90 seconds of a song, rather than the current 30. What struck me as strange about this change, is that while the average pop song is closer to 180 seconds, there is still a great deal of music out there that users would now be able to stream the whole way through. In other words users will be able to listen to some of the music on iTunes completely free, while the labels and artist will not be able to claim royalties. Probably realizing this, Apple have been quick to state that if the labels don’t like these changes…they can leave.

So why doesn’t Apple just start their own music streaming service? It certainly seems as though it could be in the works. Especially as it was only a week ago that rumours began circulating that Apple was ready to launch a bid for Spotify; a rumour that Spotify has denied.

Regardless this does appear to be a step on Apples behalf into streaming music. We will just have to wait and see how far they take it.

For now though, we have pulled together a playlist of 20 songs under 90 seconds you will be able to stream from iTunes. Leave us your song suggestions in the comments below.

The Vaccines – Wreckin’ Ball
The Magnetic Fields – Punk Love
Nirvana – Molly’s Lips
The White Stripes – Fell in Love with a Girl
Rancid – Indestructible
Violent Femmes – Old Mother Reagan
Pavement – Debris Slide
Bikini Kill – Alien She
Minor Threat – Straight Edge
The Fall – Industrial Estate
Wire – Field Day For The Sundays
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Man
Ramones – Judy Is A Punk
Fugazi – Greed
Elvis Costello and the Attractions – The Imposter
Belle And Sebastian – I Don’t Want To Play Football
Final Fantasy – – ->
Johnny Cash – The Wall
The Smiths – Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want
Descendents – Coffee Mug