iTunes Music Now DRM-Free With iPhone 3G Network Downloads
Starting today iTunes music can be previewed and purchased anywhere using iPhone 3G. iPhone users are finally free from the bondage of being limited to downloading music via Wi-Fi hotspots only. It's simply called the "iTunes music store" with cellular compatibility for easy access to Apple's leading online music kingdom over-the-air anywhere you are.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer our iPhone 3G customers the ability to download music from iTunes anytime, anywhere over their 3G network at the same price as downloading to your computer or via Wi-Fi,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO.
Apple also announced that iTunes is converting to DRM-free music with some 8 million tracks now available as iTunes Plus, DRM-free songs, along with 2 million more DRM-free songs expected to become available near the end of the quarter. A move that is well overdue, requiring no more than a press release rather than the Macworld stage.
I gave iTunes 3G downloading an instant test drive with the free "Company of Thieves" single 'Oscar Wilde' which is currently a free iTunes download. Both the preview and download were zippy over 3G. I was impressed with my first spin. iTunes Plus songs are identified through the (+$0.99) plus symbol next to the 99 cent tag in iTunes. Each song took about two minutes to download over 3G.
"With iTunes Plus, you get high-quality, 256-Kbps AAC encoding. All free of burn limits and digital rights management (DRM)." Source: Apple.com
The big four major labels have finally cemented their retarded demands on Steve Jobs for tiered pricing on iTunes downloads. Starting in April 2009, labels will be given the opportunity to fleece iTunes users with three different prices: 69 cents for back catalog tracks, 99 cents for standard songs, and an absurd $1.29 for new or popular releases which pale by comparison to classic Zeppelin, Pink Floyd or any of The Beatles epic solo collections.
Pricing for upgrading your currently imprisoned iTunes music is 30 cents per song along with Music video upgrades being 60 cents each. You can upgrade an entire album for 30-percent of the album price. Unfortunately Apple is not offering anyone a get of of jail free card for Plus song upgrades.
Apple is claiming that iTunes Plus music will play on iPod, Apple TV, all Mac and Windows computers, in addition to other digital music players without use limitations. That may be worth the 30 cents for sure, but I'll wait to see real results before cheering naked in the streets.
With Apple already being the number one online music retailer, I would expect this epic DRM-free announcement that took years to accomplish, to seal Apple's iTunes domination. At least for a few more years. Causing only misery for Amazon and Walmart who are frantically trying to play catch-up.
omg, it is really a good news for us, i finally can put itunes songs to my mp3.
i don't buy songs and video from itunes store often.
because I have a generic iPod Movie Converter.
i found it few monthes before and then i really don't need itunes store. it can convert all the popular formats to iPod video.
I know I sound like a rambling idiot, because I am.
Posted by: lee joe | January 08, 2009 at 12:06 AM
The demand for iPhone 3G downloads is expected to grow with the new device rocking the worldwide scene.Thank you for this precious site.
Posted by: free ipod music download | January 08, 2009 at 01:09 PM
im new
Posted by: rafael | June 21, 2009 at 11:36 PM