Wednesday, May 30, 2007

New iTunes Plus - Now DRM free!

As reported on various sites around the intertubes, iTunes has added the "Plus" section that allows you to download a selection of special files. These AAC files are at a higher bit rate (256kbps instead of the old 128kbps) and come without the FairPlay DRM.

I'm excited about this because I like the idea of buying direct from itunes, but I had been held back by the possible issues down the road with DRM'd music not working with future players etc. Plus it always seemed a shady move for companies to assume people were dirty thieving pirates from the get-go.

Anyway, my one beef is.. What's up with the pricing? On the US iTunes, regular albums cost $9.99. The "Plus" albums cost.. $9.99! However, on the Canadian iTunes, regular albums cost $9.99, however the "Plus" albums are.. $11.99? Now with the current exchange rate pushing $0.93US per $1 CDN, this makes little sense.

Hope this gets fixed soon!

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