News
iTunes adds early links to DRM-free music from holdout labels
By Charles Starrett
Contributing Editor
Published: Tuesday, November 25, 2008
News Categories: iTunes
New links found on the iTunes Store suggest that Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony BMG may finally begin offering DRM-free iTunes Plus tracks through the service. Most notably, users have begun seeing tracks from the three labels appearing in the “Upgrade My Library” area of the store, which offers users a one-click option to upgrade past DRMed iTunes Store purchases to higher quality, DRM-free iTunes Plus versions. As shown in the screenshot, some of the recordings are appearing in this area without pricing or links to purchase, suggesting that Apple may be considering alternative pricing for these new DRM-free tracks, or may perhaps be looking to move all music on the store to a DRM-free format, effectively doing away with the iTunes Plus moniker and lowering prices for currently-offered iTunes Plus tracks to match those of normal songs. A report from last week suggested Apple was in talks with the three labels in hopes of offering DRM-free versions of their songs on the Store, but the talks were said to be in the preliminary stages. Apple has yet to comment on the matter.
Related Stories
- Apple releases iTunes 11.0.3 with new Mini Player
- Microsoft: Don’t expect iTunes app on Windows 8
- Apple launches ‘A Decade of iTunes’
- Apple adds ‘download later’ option to iTunes
- Court rules iTunes songs can’t be resold
- Apple adds freemium app warning in App Store
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- Apps: ABC Aquarium, Disney Jr. Appisodes, Pinterest 2.4 + Pocket Informant Pro 3.0
- Report: iOS 7 could see Flickr, Vimeo integration
- Apple CEO Cook testifies on taxes, faces Senate critics
- Google Play Music All Access to get iOS app support?
- Senate subcommittee accuses Apple of tax avoidance
- AT&T: All video chat apps will work over cellular in 2013
- Apple releases testimony before CEO’s Senate appearance
- New Apple offers in India can reduce iPhone price
- Report: Apple testing 1.5” OLED displays for iWatch
- Song skipping terms slowing iRadio negotiations
Recent Reviews
- Mophie Juice Pack Plus for iPhone 5
- Ultimate Ears UE Boom
- Trü Protection Trü-Fit Anti-Glare Film Set
- New Trent iCarrier IMP120D Dual USB Power Pack
- BlueFlame 2M Charge and Sync Cable with Lightning Connector
- HMDX Jam Party Bluetooth Wireless Stereo Speaker
- Logitech Harmony Ultimate Universal Remote Control
- MyCharge Freedom 2000 Battery Case for iPhone 5
- Nike Nike+ FuelBand
- OCDesk OCDock for iPhone 5
Recent Articles
- Calendar info disappears after iCloud restore
- Remove old iCloud backup after restoring to a new iPhone
- Setting up a ringtone in iTunes
- Using a Wi-Fi hard drive with an iPad
- Backing up and restoring an iPod classic
- Can’t restore iPod touch without passcode
- Retaining older versions of Apps during an iOS Restore
- Can’t eject iPod nano without closing Firefox
- Can’t change iTunes Apple ID to iCloud e-mail address
- Effect of erasing an iPhone on the Find My iPhone feature
1
There appears to be other changes going on. Specifically I noticed when I tried to upgrade my existing purchases to iTunes plus the attempt failed with a message saying the item I tried to purchase had changed while I was using the iTunes store. Thinking it was a glitch I went to the iTunes Plus FAQ and there was all kinds of interesting tidbits there. Specifically:
“iTunes Plus songs, music videos, and albums are available at the same price as DRM-protected content.”
“Music on the store available in iTunes Plus will no longer be available as 128 kbs and with DRM”
Posted by Rand on November 25, 2008 at 7:44 AM (PST)
2
Those tidbits have been there for a while, ever since the price reduction from $1.29/track to $0.99/track. It only refers to music that *is* available as iTunes Plus.
Once this stuff gets links to purchase, however, it should also apply to those.
Posted by Jeremy Avalon on November 25, 2008 at 7:58 AM (PST)
3
Prediction #1: All current 99 cent tracks will be available in DRM-free 256Kbps AAC.
Prediction #2: iTunes Plus tracks will be available in DRM-free Apple Lossless for $1.29.
They can sell a 2GB video file for $1.99, so surely then call sell 25MB audio files for $1.29.
Posted by Galley in Greenville, SC on November 25, 2008 at 8:27 AM (PST)
4
iTunes plus link is not up on the store for me currently.
Posted by studogvetmed in Loveland, CO on November 25, 2008 at 12:00 PM (PST)
5
Going to be one heck of a download if they allow everyone to upgrade everything from 128K to 256K for free.
Posted by otaku on November 26, 2008 at 8:16 AM (PST)