Apple is "exploring an overhaul of the way it sells and stores music that is aimed at extending its influence to the Web, according to people briefed on the strategy," according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.

Apple sure seems to move fast. On Friday, it was rumored that the company was in talks to purchase online music site, Lala. A couple of hours later,was reporting that the deal had been closed. Now, according to, Apple is already looking to take advantage of that deal--by moving iTunes online.

According to the paper, Apple is, "exploring an overhaul of the way it sells and stores music that is aimed at extending its influence to the Web, according to people briefed on the strategy."

The article adds,

Where Apple's iTunes requires users to download music onto a specific computer, Lala.com lets users buy and listen to music through a Web browser, meaning its customers can access purchases from anywhere, as long as they are connected to the Internet. Apple is considering adopting that same model for songs sold on iTunes, a change that would give consumers more ways to access and manage their iTunes purchases--and wouldn't require them to download Apple's software or their purchases.

The changes, the Journal adds, could come as early as next year.