Published:
Changes Coming to the iTunes Store
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Apple(R) today announced
several changes to the iTunes(R) Store (http://www.itunes.com). Beginning
today, all four major music labels -- Universal Music Group, Sony BMG, Warner
Music Group and EMI, along with thousands of independent labels, are now
offering their music in iTunes Plus, Apple's DRM-free format with higher-
quality 256 kbps AAC encoding for audio quality virtually indistinguishable
from the original recordings. iTunes customers can also choose to download
their favorite songs from the world's largest music catalog directly onto
their iPhone(TM) 3G over their 3G network just as they do with Wi-Fi today,
for the same price as downloading to their computer. And beginning in April,
based on what the music labels charge Apple, songs on iTunes will be available
at one of three price points: 69 cents, 99 cents and $1.29, with most albums
still priced at $9.99.
"We are thrilled to be able to offer our iTunes customers DRM-free iTunes
Plus songs in high quality audio and our iPhone 3G customers the ability to
download music from iTunes anytime, anywhere over their 3G network at the same
price as downloading to your computer or via Wi-Fi," said Steve Jobs, Apple's
CEO. "And in April, based on what the music labels charge Apple, songs on
iTunes will be available at one of three price points -- 69 cents, 99 cents
and $1.29 -- with many more songs priced at 69 cents than $1.29."
iTunes offers customers a simple, one-click option to easily upgrade their
entire library of previously purchased songs to the higher quality DRM-free
iTunes Plus format for just 30 cents per song or 30 percent of the album
price. The iTunes Store will begin offering eight million of its 10 million
songs in Apple's DRM-free format, iTunes Plus, today with the remaining two
million songs offered in iTunes Plus by the end of March.
iPhone 3G users can now preview and purchase the entire iTunes Store music
catalog on their iPhone 3G over their 3G network, just as they do with Wi-Fi
today, for the same price and in the same high quality format. Songs purchased
on an iPhone will automatically sync to a user's computer the next time they
sync their iPhone.
The iTunes Store is the world's most popular online music, TV and movie
store with a catalog of over 10 million songs, over 30,000 TV episodes and
over 2,500 films including over 600 in stunning high definition video. With
Apple's legendary ease of use, pioneering features such as iTunes Movie
Rentals, integrated podcasting support, the ability to turn previously
purchased tracks into complete albums at a reduced price, and seamless
integration with iPod(R) and iPhone, the iTunes Store is the best way for
Mac(R) and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music and video
online.
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple
II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh.
Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-
winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional
applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its
iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered
the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.
(C) 2009 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac
OS, Macintosh, iTunes, iPhone and iPod are trademarks of Apple. Other company
and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Apple Inc.
Copyright © 2009, PRNewswire
Copyright © 2009, NewsBlaze,
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