Several sites are reporting that there is an iTunes application coming for Symbian-powered cell phones. The rumor holds that the application will be available for most, but not all S60 3rd Edition handsets, and that it will include the ability to browse and purchase songs from the iTunes Music Store. Furthermore, the application will allow users to control their desktop iTunes – Windows or Mac – via the phone using WiFi.
There are four screenshots ‘found’, which appear to show this new S60v3 application running (though not on an actual device, they’re simply screenshots). The rumor also holds that Apple has apparently purchased a special ’secret’ API from Nokia, allowing them to use a new HypnoBreathe sound technology, which increases the sound quality on the level. The application is said to be planned for launch in January 2009 (presumably at Macworld 2009).
Personally, I call shenanigans on the whole thing, for several reasons:
1. The ‘rumors’ are both started and ‘confirmed’ by the same person, ‘peace’. There hasn’t been anything other than these 4 screenshots and word from a complete unknown.
2. 2 of the screenshots are exactly the same. The first time the rumor came about, we saw a screenshot listing 7 tracks in an iTunes-looking playlist, with :44 seconds left on the track. The second time, when the rumor is ‘confirmed’, we have an ‘About’ page that is simply the same screenshot, only with a typical S60 ‘About’ box popped up. You can see that it’s the same by the time on the track in both screenshots:
3. The only other time Apple has opened up its DRM for other manufacturers was for 2 Motorola handsets, both of which bombed miserably. It’s highly unlikely that Apple would do so again.
4. There’s no business reason for Apple to open its DRM for support on Symbian handsets. It’s commonly believed that the iTunes Music Store brings Apple low margins on the individual songs, instead being used as a tool to generate more iPod and iPhone sales. If Apple was truly out to make profits on its iTunes Music Store, it wouldn’t be resisting the RIAA’s requests to increase prices, and it would have made it possible for any device to use its DRM, in an attempt to sell more tracks, rather than more hardware.
5. Apple places a HUGE emphasis on usability and the user interface. The screenshots of this supposed S60 iTunes application show a complete disregard for the left and right softkeys, which, to me, goes against this emphasis on user friendliness. Also, the keys do not appear to be mapped to the d-pad (though they certainly could be) and the entire UI, in the screenshots, appears to suggest either a mouse-based navigation system, or simply scrolling around the desired button is highlighted.
6. Why would Nokia, who has come under fire heavily against Apple lately, open up a ’special secret’ API that allows for Apple to bring a superior music experience, of all things? Why would Nokia license out something ’special secret’ to its competitor, who would obviously use it to enhance a product (iTunes Music Store) that competes directly with a service (Nokia Music Store) that you’ve only recently launched? It makes more sense that Nokia would be holding any music-related abilities or APIs rather close to its chest, in preparation for its own new application.
Of course, it’s possible that this application is indeed legitimate, and indeed headed our way. However, based on the reasons listed above, we at Symbian-Guru are calling shenanigans on this rumor until we see something more concrete.What do you think?
