Apple to Extend iTunes Song Previews to 90 Seconds in U.S.

Apple sent e-mails to music label representatives to inform them that it that it is preparing to extend the length of iTunes Store song previews in the United States. The new 90 second samples only affect songs that are longer than 2 minutes and 30 seconds, with shorter songs keeping the original 30 second preview length. The company believes that longer songs samples will lead to more purchases. Apple's email notes that by continuing to offer their music on the iTunes Store, labels are indicating their acceptance of the new terms. But it didn’t say any time frames when the extended previews will be available to U.S. customers.