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iTunes Lowers Price of DRM-Free Tracks

By BetaNews Staff, BetaNews

October 16, 2007, 12:18 PM

Apple has silently dropped the price of its DRM-free iTunes Plus tracks, which come as 256kbps AAC. Instead of $1.29, the tracks will cost the same as standard songs with DRM: 99-cents. The move is seemingly in response to Amazon's launch of its DRM-free music store that sells 256kbps MP3s for between 89 cents to 99 cents each.

Although the iTunes Plus songs were individually $1.29, Apple usually sold full iTunes Plus albums at the same price as their DRM counterpart. The company is expected to make an official announcement Wednesday, along with bulking up its DRM-free offering with additional independent labels.

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By bobthegoat2001

posted Oct 16, 2007 - 7:06 PM

I'd still rather have MP3's over AAC. MP3's will play in any MP3 player, not just iPods and maybe two other players that may be compatible. And I don't have to have that horrible iTunes installed on my computer.

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Oct 16, 2007 - 7:15 PM

^This^

Score: 0

By lvthunder

posted Oct 16, 2007 - 3:49 PM

Some are $.99 and most are still $1.29.

Score: 0

By Realist

posted Oct 16, 2007 - 1:12 PM

There you go....the beginning of the iEnd. Apple didn't call this shot, the industry called it and they had to respond.

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Oct 16, 2007 - 3:05 PM

"iEnd"

Die.

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Oct 16, 2007 - 7:02 PM

iDie?

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Oct 16, 2007 - 7:14 PM

Yes, you die.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Oct 17, 2007 - 9:59 AM

He could be a vampire. You never know.

Score: 0

By tazandpig

edited Oct 16, 2007 - 12:48 PM

I wonder how long it'll be before the first idiot cries foul, citing the fact they paid $1.29 last weekend, etc.

Followed by demands for a refund.

I also wonder if this price change will be reflected on UK iTunes? If not, UK pricing will suddenly appear even more of a rip-off than it already is.

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Oct 16, 2007 - 3:08 PM

"I also wonder if this price change will be reflected on UK iTunes?"

Don't be silly. Of course it won't.

We UK citizens are already lubed up. We did go in to the US's farcical war without being asked, remember.

Score: 0

By Program86

posted Oct 16, 2007 - 1:28 PM

Your ignorance speaks volumes. "laughs"

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Oct 16, 2007 - 2:07 PM

Yeah, no-one would ever sue over something stupid...

Oh, wait...

Score: 0

By dvferret

posted Oct 16, 2007 - 10:56 PM

lol, except for us Americans.

So pathetic.

Score: 0

By Avion Airplane

posted Oct 16, 2007 - 7:09 PM

Hey PC_TOOL

I bet your Steve Ballmer in disguise

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

edited Oct 17, 2007 - 9:58 AM

Nope. Not even "Fake" Steve Ballmer.

Perhaps I could be somewhat related. 6 degrees and all that jazz...

I should try to hit him up for a few mil.

Score: 0

By Avion Airplane

posted Oct 16, 2007 - 7:10 PM

/poking fun at ya................

Score: 0

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