Rumour: Apple To Sell DRM-Free Music On iTunes At Varying Prices
The guys at CNet are reporting that Apple could announce DRM-free music from all four of the major music studios (not just EMI) at Macworld, along with restructured pricing. They also say that over-the-air music downloads (as in via 3G, not Wi-Fi) could be coming soon as well.Before you get all worked up about pricing increases, CNet actually notes that songs will be grouped into three categories: older songs, newer songs that aren’t hits and current hits. Obviously most tracks fall in the older songs category, and CNet reckons that category will sell for $US0.79, while the mid-range songs will stay at $US0.99. There’s no word of how much the current hit songs will cost.
Considering practically every other music store (including BigPond) has DRM-free music downloads, it’s about time that Apple joined the party. Although apparently not all songs will be DRM-free – and there was no indication of how DRM will be stripped from previously purchased music.
In any case, we’ll probably know for certain tomorrow after Schiller gives his maiden and final Macworld Keynote.
[CNet]
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Comments
The music purchased from the “mobile” version of Telstra’s BigPond Music is NOT DRM-free as specified above, they are protected by digital rights that are tied to the device AND the SIM/USIM it was purchased from.
The “normal” (computer-based) version of BigPond Music also protects its music with DRM, though I believe the normal version is a little bit more flexible, allowing the backup of songs and so forth (sometihng that is not possible with the “mobile” version)…
By the way, FYI I speak from first-hand experience – my wife spends at least $100 on BigPond Music every month, so unless it’s changed in the last day or so, this is the way it is.
As far as I know, Sony’s “bandit.fm” (http://www.bandit.fm) is the only local company offering DRM-free music, though there are others overseas (such as Amazon.com)…
Real shame too, ’cause that’s the main reason I refuse to use BigPond Music and the Apple iTunes Music Store.
My apologies, I was wrong – I just found another article on this very site stating that Telstra only recently announced that the “normal” (computer) version of BigPond Music would offer DRM-free music…
So there you go – Amazon.com, Sony’s bandit.fm and Telstra’s BigPond Music all offer DRM-free music!
Wait…
Now they’re trying to charge us extra for DRM-free tracks. Do they not realise Limewire is free? It’s as simple as this, abolish the DRM and I will pay for online music. I’m not going to pay for the privilege to use what I’ve already paid for.
What the… i have been buying music from bigpond for a few months now with their MP3 format (DRM Free 320 or 256 depending) also from itunes with their itunesplus (DRM free [256 also i think]). While at times limited the quality is good.