Apple Inc (AAPL)

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07:09 AAPL Apple: McCartney goes digital, Beatles 'virtually settled' - Billboard.com (107.34 )

Billboard.com reports Paul McCartney's new album, "Memory Almost Full," will be his first solo release available for download and streaming on PCs and mobile phones. As previously reported, the set is due June 5 via Starbucks' (SBUX) new Hear Music label. In addition,

McCartney tells Billboard in an interview to be published tomorrow that a deal to finally make the Beatles catalog available for sale online is "virtually settled." As part of its digital marketing strategy, Starbucks plans to give "Memory Almost Full" prime positioning in its Hear Music area in the Apple iTunes Store.

The digital distribution deal for McCartney is believed to pertain solely to the new album and not back catalog. However, the pact signals increased willingness on the part of the former Beatles to make music available for consumption online.