Beatles ready for Download?

Speculation is mounting that The Beatles' back catalogue will finally become available to download.

Apple have called a press conference at the EMI label headquarters in London tomorrow (April 2), where boss Steve Jobs will make a major announcement about iTunes.

The Beatles and Apple recently settled a long-running legal dispute over use of the Apple brand name, clearing the way for a deal to be struck over the digital release of their music. Since EMI control the band's catalogue, insiders are predicting that a deal between the two will be announced tomorrow.

The Beatles music has never been available to legally download before.

Recent changes in chart rules allowing downloads to count towards the singles chart have prompted speculation that when it is available, the band's music could dominate the UK Top 40.

Depending on the details of tomorrow's news, this could now happen as early as next Sunday (April . There is also speculation that the announcement could include information about the European launch of Apple's latest MP3 playing gadget, the iPhone, which is set to make its US debut this summer