Apple Takes Steps Towards Being DRM-Free

Apple has released a statement saying that in May all of their content from EMI will be offered in a 256kbps (higher quality), DRM-free (can be played on ANY mp3 player and as many computers as you want) form that costs only $1.29 per song (if you already own the song you can upgrade for 30 cents). These songs will also still be available for download in the original 128kbps, drm-hampered, 99 cent version for those who are too cheap to spot the 30 cents for the gigantic upgrade. This deal has a large impact considering the EMI library contains over five million songs at this time. Jobs claims that by the end of the year almost half of iTunes' content should have a DRM-free option available. This decision is HUGE, as this step towards accessible online music could be the action that sets into motion Apple's complete domination of the music world. If they are able to convince other labels to sell DRM-free music, we could see the transition into a world of easily accessible, easy to listen to music that is both simple AND legal. Good job Apple! Right when things are bad and you're starting to look like any other mega corporation, you go and do something that could possibly be one of the largest steps towards a new music industry reality since iTunes itself. You can read the official release here.

Apple and Record Companies Under Euro-Attack

The European Commission has issues a statement condemning the actions of Apple and record companies for breaking EU rules forbidding "Restrictive" business practices. This is in relation to the different selections available in different countries that are all part of the EU. Official statements like this are usually the first step in an anti-trust case that will be brought against a company. It's not sure how serious this will be for Apple and these record companies in Europe, but in any case it's interesting to see how Apple seems to be getting more and more Microsoft style negative press for questionable business practices. Between the DRM issue and iTunes non-international selections, iTunes could end up being the new Microsoft Windows, in the way that everyone has it and uses it, and yet nobody truly likes it.

NEWS: Steve Jobs condemns DRM use by record labels

In one of the more hilarious stories of late, Apple's Steve Jobs openly condemned major record labels' use of DRM protection on certain CD releases. According to him there is no reason for them to "protect" 10% of their albums at the risk of stifling usability by the users. This is extremely funny considering Jobs' company is notorious for their FairPlay DRM which keeps all iTunes songs exclusive to Apple brand products. It is so notorious that Norways consumer board has taken up talks with Apple threating legal action if they refuse to allow their media to be used on other mp3 players beyond the iPod series. This seems fairly typical of Apple's hypocritical approach towards digital media.

In another release Apple recommended that users avoid upgrading to Microsoft's new operating system Vista. This seems like an obvious statement but their reason for users to delay this upgrade is because iTunes has several critical conflicts with Vista keeping it from functioning properly. All of this after Apple made quite a few jokes at Microsoft's expense due to the time it took Microsoft to finish developing their OS. With five years since XP's release it seems that Apple had more than enough time to get their software functioning on the new operating system.