Filed under: Audio, iTS, Multimedia, iTunes, Apple
Apple adds 2 million more iTunes Plus tracks
After much speculation, Apple has finally announced that iTunes Plus is finally expanding - and keen to point out (perhaps to Amazon's chagrin) "The iTunes Plus catalog is now the largest DRM-free catalog in the world." Whilst three major labels are sadly missing in action - how many more hints do they need that DRM-free music might just be popular with their customers? - there is a plethora of independent labels now going DRM-free in addition to EMI such as "Sub Pop, Nettwerk, Beggars Group, IODA, The Orchard and many others."In addition to the expansion of iTunes Plus, Apple has now officially dropped the price of the DRM-free tracks to the usual 99¢ per song in the US and 79p here in the UK (although there's no word on whether the upgrade pricing of $0.20 a song remains, or what's happening in other international markets).
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
David said 11:25AM on 10-17-2007
So I guess the idea here now is that we can have DRM-free music, but that the catalog available is not quite as expansive as the one WITH drm, right? But at least it's all for $0.99. That's really cool. Now at least we have the option on songs we want at a better price. Yay!
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marcial said 11:29AM on 10-17-2007
How do I contact tuaw? Can't find a link...
BTW iphone will open up for third party development
see: apple.com/hotnews
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Ethan said 11:39AM on 10-17-2007
You could upgrade them for thirty cents before, does this make upgrading now free? I'd sure like some high-quality shins.
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David said 11:42AM on 10-17-2007
@Marcial: There's a "Send Us News Tips" link on the right towards the bottom under Resources.
@Ethan: It'd sure be nice of them, but I highly doubt it. Doesn't seem like a wise business decision, but Apple has done crazier things before.
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Beau said 11:43AM on 10-17-2007
I can't even get to the iTunes Plus page in the Aussie store. More Plus goodness for us too?
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Jacob Christensen said 12:01PM on 10-17-2007
Same thing in Sweden as in Australia: The iTS Plus department cannot be reached. Exciting.
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Mike said 12:30PM on 10-17-2007
I've just had a look and the 20p upgrade cost is still in effect.
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Keith said 12:38PM on 10-17-2007
Can't get into the Canada store iTunes+ section but can confirm that iTunes+ tracks are going for 99c after I searched EMI tracks
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DeanMc said 1:14PM on 10-17-2007
Yes the upgrade is still in place just upgraded Coldplay X+Y album for $3.60
This really is going to shake things up and I am buying as many Plus tracks as I can afford to make the point that this is what I would like and prefer to download - better quality bitrate and no DRM
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Frank said 1:38PM on 10-17-2007
This seems like a technical support nightmare for Apple. You'll now have people that aren't as "in-tune" as the average geek to these "goings-on" wondering why they can't copy some of their music around while other music works just fine.
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Frank said 1:52PM on 10-17-2007
beggars group, too?
W00T!
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Jim Johnson said 2:20PM on 10-17-2007
I can confirm that upgrades are still available, as they are released by the artists/labels. I just updated The Shins/Wincing the Night Away...
^_^
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Galley said 2:43PM on 10-17-2007
Dear record labels: If all you offer are 128Kbps files with DRM, I'm not buying. You snooze, you lose!
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karan said 3:55PM on 10-17-2007
No cut in Australia: http://www.smh.com.au/news/web/australians-miss-out-on-itunes-price-cut/2007/10/17/1192300835074.html
(and that's on the back of the Australian Dollar hitting historic highs around US88c+)
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Kris said 3:59PM on 10-17-2007
Same here in Germany: The ITS Plus Page is not available at the moment but ITS Plus tracks sell for 0,99 €. ;)
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Jon H said 5:06PM on 10-17-2007
I bought a non-Plus Madness track a few hours ago, and got a panel saying I was getting a high-quality track at no extra charge. Inspection of the purchased file revealed it as a 256k track.
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Allister said 5:08PM on 10-17-2007
I've noticed lower priced songs in the NZ store for several days now. I STILL wish they'd give us a link to browse ALL of the iTunes Plus offerings instead of just "featured".
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Henry said 5:23PM on 10-17-2007
Let it be known that Apple didn't add two million tracks, they expanded their library to include two million iTunes plus tracks.
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Jason said 10:17PM on 10-17-2007
Boo still having to pay to upgrade music. I wouldn't have minded paying to upgrade if I could pick the individual songs but to pay to upgrade the whole thing when the price is now identical is just wrong. It's almost cheaper to just pay for the songs you want upgraded now.
Hooray higher quality downloads at cheaper price.
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rb said 5:51AM on 10-18-2007
Japan store also has same price for drm and non-drm. 200 yen
However I can't remember what plus was before. probably 250 yen.
The Japanese store still has differential pricing though, with some tracks at 150 yen.
If drm can be consigned to history maybe there can be work on worldwide licensing and pricing next.
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