WebProNews

Reports last week contend Google will disclose a deal with Apple that sees the iTunes Music Store available from the Google site.

The report from TheStreet says iTunes will be available through Google. Currently, Google rival Yahoo allows users to purchase songs from iTunes and other providers via results returned for music from Yahoo Audio Search.

Neither Apple nor Google would comment on the rumor, according to the article. Should it be true, the deal would broaden iTunes' presence to everyone with a web browser. Users currently have to download the iTunes software in order to have access to the music store.

The proposal raises a couple of interesting questions. First, what's in it for Google? At 99 cents a song, 70 cents and possibly more goes to the record label. That doesn't leave much to split between Mountain View and Cupertino.

And Apple has been known for not sharing its technology with others. Record companies want to license Apple's Fairplay DRM so their CDs will be compatible with the iPod music player, but Steve Jobs has so far rejected those requests. It's likely Apple sees licensing Fairplay as potentially damaging to its iTunes business.

David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business. Email him here.