Engadget is reporting a rumor that a wireless enabled version of iTunes will be released very soon. The announcement of a wireless iPod, the iPod Touch, is expected at Apple’s September 5th event as well. This is great news for iPhone users as being able to purchase songs without the iTunes desktop tether will be a welcome change. (I would also expect an iPhone firmware upgrade soon–rumored to support a file browser, copy and paste functionality, and mobile iChat.) By cutting the iTunes umbilical cord, Apple Inc is giving existing iPod users another reason to upgrade to a new version. Being an Apple shareholder myself, this is another great revenue stream for AAPL. However, without iTunes what will help distinguish the iPod from all of the other MP3 players in the market if other manufacturers’ devices can leverage iTunes…the cool/hip factor? the touch screen sensitivity? or will Apple wireless enable iTunes in a manner that locks out all of its competitors–with the recent iPhone AT&T crack, the may be difficult to achieve.
