iTunes TV rentals may cost 1 per series per month

Apple's proposed iTunes TV rentals could be cheaper still than originally thought if an unverified but notable rumor is true. Rather than charge 99 cents per episode, Cult of Mac claimed late Thursday that it would cost that amount per TV series per month. Under the model, a customer could watch every episode of four shows for $4 each month, or well under the $32 it would cost to buy the same content.

The terms may explain leaks of studio executives reportedly balking at Apple's prices, which CBS and NBC might see as too low. Apple would be counting on sheer volume making up for the prices. If successful, it would be a major blow to Hulu Plus and Netflix, which thrive on Internet TV viewing but charge a $10 flat rate for access to everything they have to offer.

Equally unusual is a claim that Apple may add 3G to the fourth-generation iPod touch. The plan is far from certain, but tipsters claimed that the company had been at least "strongly considering" mimicking the iPad's strategy on the much smaller device, AppleInsider said. Cost wasn't mentioned but could be a factor, as a 3G chipset would add significantly to a price that would normally be much lower.

Other details in the same leak back earlier leaks of a tiny touchscreen iPod nano that would have a Dock Connector. Most expect it to also have a clip, but whether it would have much in external controls beyond a remote hasn't been evident. A new version of iLife has been floated as a possibility, but Apple rarely ever touches on non-iTunes Mac software at its annual music event.

by MacNN Staff