DRM free music on iTunes

[petemc]

Confirmed: DRM-free Music: MacRumors user stomer has found slides from further in the webcast that confirm that the announcement will revolve around "DRM-free tracks at twice the sound quality."

8:24 Our research indicates that consumers are willing to pay a higher price in order to play their music on any player.
- 8:24 Announcing premium downloads. Free from DRM, and higher sound quality.
- 8:25 Upgrade ability as well.
- From press release: $1.29 for premium tracks (DRM-less), $.99 for standard (DRM), and $.30 for upgrade
- 8:28 Steve takes stage.
- 8:29 "Next stage in the digital music revolution"
- 8:31 Premium tracks will be 256 kbps AAC
- 8:32 Available next month (May)
- From press release: All EMI music videos will also be available on the iTunes Store DRM-free with no change in price.

http://www.macrumors.com/2007/04/02/emi-apple-press-conference-coverage/

A step in the right direction.

[Mark]

Certainly is, though a lot of players don't like AAC, so will involve a format conversion with the inevitable loss of quality that brings.

[petemc]

Certainly is, though a lot of players don't like AAC, so will involve a format conversion with the inevitable loss of quality that brings.

Yeah there is that. I do prefer MP3 as it'll play on anything, even my frying pan now ;) Hopefully it'll be huge success and everyone else will switch when they realise how much extra money they can make from non-drm music.

[Daz]

An important step indeed. With Apple on board in any capacity, the market is more likely to ditch DRM.

[Flibster]

FLAC for me please....

Please?

Oh..and no itunes. :D

Simon/~Flibster

[Mark]

Someday, maybe, when we all have 100Mbit internet connections. :)

As for no iTunes, given that Apple are pushing this, not yet please.