iTunes Goes 3G, Edge, and DRM-Free!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Apple made big announcements at Macworld on Tuesday for its iTunes service. Peviously only available through a Wi-Fi network, now iPhone users anywhere can download DRM-free songs anywhere with 3G or Edge signal. It is great news for people on long road trips. Want to hear that song on radio again? Just use your Shazaam iPhone app to figure out the song title and download it to your iPhone so you can listen to it over and over again. Got tired of the same music? Get new songs on iTunes right in your car in the middle of no where.

Apple apparently have reached a resolution with AT&T and many other carriers around the world to make 3G iTunes a reality. Without doubt, more iPhone users will download more songs from iTunes as result of the new convenience.

DRM free songs is also a big change for Apple. DRM-free is the trend in digital music. Who would want their music to be restricted to one or two devices when they just want to move their purchased music to all of their media devices at home.

However, with DRM free songs, Apple had to change the pricing structure for their music downloads. The new pricing structure consists of three tiers: 69 cents, 99 cents, and $1.29, with newer songs cost 30% more than the previous set price of 99 cents.

Today is a big win for Apple and iPhone users against telecom carriers and music labels. It makes enjoying music more convenient and simple. It also bring iPhone closer to the ultimate mobile device!