Apple launches iTunes Plus

Wed 20th Jun, 2007 in International News

Apple recently launched iTunes Plus, with tracks free of digital rights management (DRM) at high quality 256 kbps, and AAC encoding for audio quality. A simpler way to say this… it’s better sound quality and there’s no limit on the number of music players or computers the purchased song can be played on, and all for A$2.19 per song.

“Our customers are very excited about the freedom and amazing sound quality of iTunes Plus,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We expect more than half of the songs on iTunes will be offered in iTunes Plus versions by the end of this year.”

Currently over four million songs are offered through iTune’s catalogue in a 128kbps AAC encoding with DRM, at A$1.69 each. Also, iTunes customers with previously purchased EMI content will be able to upgrade their tracks or most albums for A$0.50 or A$5.10 each.

“This is a tremendous milestone for digital music,” said Eric Nicoli, CEO of the EMI Group. “Consumers are going to love listening to higher quality iTunes Plus tracks from their favorite EMI artists with no usage restrictions.”

The iTunes Store has the world’s largest catalogue of music, with over 4 million songs, 7,000 music videos, 100,000 podcasts and 23,000 audiobooks. To date it has sold over 2.5 billion songs and helped to revitalise album sales in the music industry.