Will DRM-free music and new subscription services threaten iTunes?

Will DRM-free music and new subscription services threaten iTunes?.

This is an interesting question, but specifically, I think the real question is “Will DRM-free music and new subscription services threaten the iPod?”  Many people use iTunes and purchase music from iTunes because they have an iPod.  You need iTunes in order to make your iPod work as its intended (yes, I know there are hacks). 

The fact that Mr. Jobs has stated that (for the time being) there will be no Apple subscription service will cause some people to reconsider.  I’d like to get an iPod and some of its accessories.  But I really like using Yahoo! Music and URGE subscription services to discover new music and keep my devices fresh.  Because I can’t use these services with an iPod has kept me from getting an iPod.  I don’t buy that much music, but with the subscription services, I have access to more music and a more variety of music than I would ever think about buying.  Maybe in the long run it may not be a lower cost to use a subscription service since I don’t own the music I download, but it certainly meets my budget requirements much easier.  I can only buy 12 CDs worth of music a year (at $10/CD), but I can (and DO) download a heck of a lot more than 150 tracks a year by “renting” them.

So the question really becomes, if you could buy DRM-free music and use subscription services, will that make you reconsider an iPod purchase?  If you could use DRM-free music and subscription services ON an iPod, would you buy the iPod?  Hmmm…