$1.29 is still cheaper than a full audio ring tone and I'll be able to use unDRMed music for just that purpose and still have a copy on my ipod. Then again if I'm feeling frugal I may just download a $0.99 DRMed version and strip the DRM myself.

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This is a brilliant move by apple. I could be wrong, but the new bitrate music will equate to significantly larger file sizes, meaning you need a bigger iPod. I downgraded to a 30GB instead of a 60GB because I never even came close to filling half of the HDD. If my music collection were to suddenly double in file size, I'd consider the larger, anticipating growth in my music collection.

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Not sure whether it would be worth upgrading just for the DRM. I would feel it perfectly legitimate to remove the DRM using some of the available tools.

That said reason number one I never bought music from iTunes is DRM. And I know I am not alone. Everyone in the geek-sphere is aware of the issues with DRM and they are the ones who drive a lot of immitation.

Now that there isn't any DRM I'll feel free to buy some tracks without after thoughts. Great move indeed.

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I think that even if you don't feel restricted, you should upgrade regardless, simply to send a message that we want a DRM-free system. The best way to send that message to the corporations is with money. This type of message has not been possible in the past, but now that it is, I think its important that we upgrade any music we have to show our support for a company that may feel it is taking a risk. Show them that it is not a risk. Support their decision so that the other labels follow.

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Good point Micah! You just talked me into uprgrading my songs!:) Spot on!

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This didn't apply to me since I didn't want to buy any DRM'd music in the first place. Maybe you should have another poll to see how many people who haven't bought iTunes music before will buy it now. I would answer "yes" personally, with the caveat that I never really pay attention to what label artists are on (especially with the major labels) so I don't really know who, of the artists that I like, is on EMI.

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I voted no. I won't upgrade my purchased songs.

But I will buy new songs in 256 kbps quality.


Gordon/ Rio de Janeiro.

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this is probably a big ploy by apple to get everyone to fill up their ipods and need bigger ones.

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For anyone who's thinking this is a ploy to sell bigger-storage iPods, think about how many songs it takes to fill up your 30GB iPod? People are not going to spend $5000 on 256kbps tracks that can fill up their existing iPods soon. By the time 256kbps becomes the norm, storage will be a lot cheaper.

Though this does have a bigger effect on Nano and Shuffle. Some of us already use 192 or 256kbps for ripping CDs so it's not that big of an issue.

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Does DRM make it so you can't say, upload your purchased iTunes songs to a Mp3 cell phone or Zune? What I'm asking is, will this update allow me to upload my purchased iTunes songs to my cell like standard, unprotected Mp3's? If so, what songs in general will be available for this update? The higher Bit-rate update sounds great, I'm a semi-audiophile...

www.grtecha.com

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I'm gonna upgrade, but I don't need the faster bit rate.

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True audiophiles wouldn’t buy anything that’s lossy, like AAC, MP3, etc!

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Actually, real audiophiles wouldn't use an iPod. Perhaps this is only true of the smaller models, but my nano simply doesn't have the output to drive real headphones or even in-ear monitors.

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