Apple are reportedly masterminding a major upgrade to iTunes

Bloomberg suggests that forthcoming changes to the program will be some of the largest since its debut in 2003. Sources in the company have claimed that the tweaks will closely link the iCloud system with iTunes, making it easier to synchronise content across various different devices. Sharing music is also set to be a more prominent part of the iTunes experience. Under the new plans, users are likely to be able to send tracks to friends to stream for free.

Apple have also been liaising with the industry about finding ways to bundle multimedia extras like images and videos in with record purchases. Rather less welcome is the news that integration with Facebook and Twitter will also be stepped up, continuing the rather unnecessary obsession with making private listening a public spectacle.

iTunes, needless to say, remains staggeringly successful: it made circa $1.9bn in the last quarter. The plans have yet to be officially announced, with iTunes spokesmen remaining shtum for now.