As iTunes goes, so goes the industry

Although Apple announced this month that some songs sold on its market-leading iTunes online service would be available for 69 cents instead of the 99-cent tag Apple had insisted on for years, the change won't necessarily put more money into the pockets of music lovers.

In fact, record companies are the ones that plan to come out ahead.

While some songs will be 30 cents cheaper, popular songs likely will be marked up to US$1.29. That price breaks a psychological $1 barrier and prepares consumers for a new strategy by labels to bundle songs, videos and other exclusive content together - all in the hopes of reversing years of falling music sales.

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