There is no doubt that the way to rule the web space is certainly by moving towards Cloud Computing. Google has already promised people, a cloud based operating system – Chrome OS. As the applications starts to move towards cloud, companies like Microsoft and Apple whose major business comes from desktop application are in danger of losing its market share.

Google is already making plans to enter into entertainment sector through its YouTube TV and paid content, which will slowly move TV Channels to consider Internet a better options. Millions of books are being scanned by Google and millions of street corners are being photographed by Google. Also, Google has already teamed up with iLike and Lala to take music search to whole new level.

Currently, Apple’s iTunes is the most popular portal to purchase quality music and video content. But with movement towards cloud, the desktop based application may lose its charm. But news sources have verified that  Apple have made a deal with Lala which may create some hope for Apple to reach the cloud market.

Now New York Times tech reporter Brad Stone has tweeted that it’s a done deal. He writes, “Apple has acquired digital music startup Lala. Now updating our story”.

The deal makes sense. It seemsinevitable that Apple will eventually launch its own cloud-based streaming music service. And that’s exactly what Lala is ? an iTunes in the cloud, with some interesting pricing mechanics.

A few other interesting things to note. This acquisition comes a little more than a month after Lala was integrated into Google’s OneBox and Facebook’sgift store. Lala may well have been viewing these launches as last-chance efforts to find a path to profitability. Given these reports that Lala’s “prospects for turning a profit in the short term were dim”, it looks like those launches may not have gone as well as Lala hoped.

source : washinghtonpost

The deal is certainly what Apple needs to make its new presence in the web. Though Apple is a dominant player in music industry with its iPOD and iTunes, it may be time for Apple to consider the changing trends. When Apple launched its iPOD, it was all about storing your 1000 songs in small device, but now memory is no longer an issue. With cloud computing, you can stream millions of songs. May be Apple’s new hardware must slowing consider this point and innovate.

Image source :

http://macamour.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/ipod_people_blue.gif

http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/epicenter/2009/10/lala_buy.jpg