Apple sub service closer to reality

IT’S A WHOLE NEW WORLD: Looks like those rumors about an Apple sub service have some weight to them. Steve Jobs’ crew is talking with the Big Four about a service that would give customers unlimited access to songs for a monthly fee, sources told the N.Y. Post. iTunes boss Eddy Cue was on the phone with music honchos as recently as a few weeks ago trying to figure out how the partners can move forward, Claire Atkinson reports. One source said the service could have tiered pricing ranging from $10 to $15, although there are issues to be ironed out, including how much music would be included in each tier and how long consumers would be able to access that content. This revelation follows closely on the news that the brilliantly designed Spotify will be part of the Windows Phone 7, which Microsoft will release on Monday, though not in the U.S. Jobs cleartly doesn’t want to get upstaged—especially by his mortal enemy. One top music exec told Atkinson the labels are now supportive of the idea, as digital sales appear to have peaked. (10/8a)