A variety of sources have reported that Apple is in the midst of negotiations which will allow them to extend song previews in iTunes. Currently 30 seconds in length, Apple’s goal is to extend previews for songs longer than 2 minutes and 30 seconds up to 90 seconds. Songs under the aforementioned length will maintain their same 30 second previews. Though the success or failure of this initiative hinges largely on Apple’s music label partners, their compliance will likely be a benefit to themselves and consumers.
More often than not, standard 30 second previews encapsulate only a certain element of a song (e.g. intro or chorus.) By extending preview lengths to almost half of a typical pop song, Apple will provide iTunes costumers with a better idea of what their buying, spurring sales. Though no official date for the change is known, sample times will likely change as record companies get on board with Apple’s request.