Apple is nearing the final stages of unleashing a service to change the way Mac users buy their music. Along with an update of iTunes to version 4 (and their iPod line-up if rumors are to be belived) will come a record-label backed file service that would allow for the downloading of tracks at a dollar a pop.
Although no licensing deals have been announced, sources close to the situation say at least four of the five major record companies have committed their music to the Apple service. It could be launched next month.
I feel this grand audio update will do wonders for music distribution. I would gladly give up a buck to get a high quality song that I’m looking for instead of taking my chances on one of the file-sharing networks or paying $18 for a CD with 85% filler crap and two decent songs. The file format of the downloads is not going to be MP3 but instead Advanced Audio Codec, but Apple found just the right balance of digital rights management and free use (i.e. your rights as a consumer are not an afterthought):
That approach allows the songs to be protected by electronic locks that prevent them from being played on more than one computer. Still, sources say, Apple wants to enable buyers to burn songs onto CDs. That feature would effectively remove the locks.
I’m waiting with mouth watering. As for your PC people, you may want to look into the legal revitalization of Napster for your equivilant.
Tags: Science and Technology