While current iPhone users have to find a WiFi connection to get their iTunes Store application to download music, Apple has plans to bring OTA (Over The Air) music downloads to their next-generation iPhone. According to the New York Times, Apple is planning to put the faster UMTS-based HSDPA data connection in the 3G iPhone to good use by allowing the upcoming iPhone to download music whenever, wherever.
As part of Apple’s push to make music even more mobile on the iPhone, Apple is planning to expand its ringtone offerings through its iTunes Store. There are also rumblings that Apple is working to bring the popular ringback tone feature to the iPhone. But, more importantly, the Infineon 3G chip within the 3G iPhone is being prepped to pull down more than just webpage and email data. OTA music downloads will be technically feasible with the faster data connection, but Apple reportedly has to work out the financial side of things – music labels want more than the current 70 cent wholesale price that they get with Apple’s current pricing structure.
We’ll have to wait for Apple to make its official iPhone-related announcements next month. If Apple truly wants to make the iPhone a mobile music platform, they’ll have to go up against wireless music download services from handset manufacturers and wireless carriers. OTA music downloading on the 3G iPhone is just the ticket to give the iPhone an additional bump to the next level.
[Via: NYT]