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For those who don't know what iTunes Plus is, Apple started selling "Plus" versions of Universal music on iTunes. These "iTunes Plus" songs have a higher bitrate, and more importantly, they have no DRM.

However, they also cost $1.29. And if you buy the regular tracks for $0.99, you can burn them to a CD and re-rip them to get rid of the DRM. So, double bitrate and no DRM for a higher price.

Okay, so today, Apple announced that iTunes Plus is being expanded to 2 million songs, and that iTunes Plus tracks are now $0.99. Meaning, there are over 2 million tracks available on iTunes that have no DRM and have a higher bitrate, at the same price. They'll play on any MP3 player, not just iPods.

IMHO this is a response to Amazon's DRM-free music store. This is really good news as far as I'm concerned; I want DRM to die. It does nothing but make things frustrating when I try to move music between devices.

Press Release

Praxis wrote: However, they also cost $1.29. And if you buy the regular tracks for $0.99, you can burn them to a CD and re-rip them to get rid of the DRM. So, double bitrate and no DRM for a higher price.

The obvious problem with that is double the bitrate isn't going to do squat when the source file isn't the original. You'll have a guaranteed loss of quality regardless of how high you rip it.

Okay, so today, Apple announced that iTunes Plus is being expanded to 2 million songs, and that iTunes Plus tracks are now $0.99. Meaning, there are over 2 million tracks available on iTunes that have no DRM and have a higher bitrate, at the same price. They'll play on any MP3 player, not just iPods.

If they have no DRM why wouldn't they play on iPods?

If they have no DRM why wouldn't they play on iPods?

...that's what I said, they have no DRM so they'll play on any MP3 players. The normal iTunes tracks will only play on iPods because of the DRM.

Praxis wrote:

If they have no DRM why wouldn't they play on iPods?

...that's what I said, they have no DRM so they'll play on any MP3 players. The normal iTunes tracks will only play on iPods because of the DRM.

Ah, I misread your post as "they'll play on any mp3 player, just not iPods." Chalk it up to being half awake.

General Zod wrote:

Praxis wrote: However, they also cost $1.29. And if you buy the regular tracks for $0.99, you can burn them to a CD and re-rip them to get rid of the DRM. So, double bitrate and no DRM for a higher price.

The obvious problem with that is double the bitrate isn't going to do squat when the source file isn't the original. You'll have a guaranteed loss of quality regardless of how high you rip it.

Yeah, but Apple does have the original wave.

I assume that Apple will graciously and promptly issue refunds for people who bought tracks that were originally $1.29?



Glad I just bought the one.