I wonder if current songs will see a price increase. In other words, should I buy the songs on my wishlist before April?
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Apple Announces Changes to iTunes Store
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You have ALWAYS been able to upgrade your music videos to DRM free, at least the ones that are available to upgrade. This announcement just makes more videos available. I have many music videos being offered as part of my DRM free upgrade.
I was thinking the same thing. Since this morning's lovely announcement, I've spent about $40 so far on songs I liked but was on the bubble about purchasing. I'd go for it if it's music you like.
I've just checked my iTunes and it's going to cost me $146.00 in one hit 
They need to give you the option to pick which ones you want to upgrade...
They need to give you the option to pick which ones you want to upgrade...
Hmmm . . .
That's ridiculous that they won't let you upgrade tracks individually.
What I want to know is, will I be charged for songs that I got for free via a promotion.
As much as I love to listen to Dave Matthews, the free Starbuck's Song I got, wasn't very good. I sure as heck don't want to pay .30 to upgrade that song. Considering I didn't even buy it in the first place.
That's ridiculous that they won't let you upgrade tracks individually.
What I want to know is, will I be charged for songs that I got for free via a promotion.
As much as I love to listen to Dave Matthews, the free Starbuck's Song I got, wasn't very good. I sure as heck don't want to pay .30 to upgrade that song. Considering I didn't even buy it in the first place.
Thoughts...
If I remember correctly
When Apple started up the iTunes Music Store, it was a big departure from the music distribution model at the time for a device that wasn't completely proven yet. Apple demanded single-rate pricing, and the labels demanded DRM in return because this was an unproven model (which they didn't (don't?) like, and frankly didn't (don't?) understand). They signed contracts that probably locked them in for a while.
In the meantime, on the coattails of iTMS' success, other outlets offered downloadable music, but this time the labels didn't have to be so wary and so allowed DRM-free music. The downside was the lack of integration.
Now, Apple has shown that this is a VERY good way to sell music by dominating the player market and by being one of the top music retailers. The iTunes infrastructure is well-established and constantly being improved. The labels ARE getting lots of money through this particular distribution channel. The contracts can be renewed with both sides now being able to make concessions for various reasons.
Apple wants to drop DRM because of consumer demand and the programming hassle (not to mention PR). Labels want variable pricing for whatever reason. They can each get what they want because they are still going to make money.
If the labels jack up their rates on too many of their songs (and we don't know if the new contracts limit what percentage that could be or if there is a time-limit a track can be at the top rate) people just won't buy from iTunes, forcing the labels to drop the price.
I'll be interested to see how this all plays out this spring.
If I remember correctly
When Apple started up the iTunes Music Store, it was a big departure from the music distribution model at the time for a device that wasn't completely proven yet. Apple demanded single-rate pricing, and the labels demanded DRM in return because this was an unproven model (which they didn't (don't?) like, and frankly didn't (don't?) understand). They signed contracts that probably locked them in for a while.
In the meantime, on the coattails of iTMS' success, other outlets offered downloadable music, but this time the labels didn't have to be so wary and so allowed DRM-free music. The downside was the lack of integration.
Now, Apple has shown that this is a VERY good way to sell music by dominating the player market and by being one of the top music retailers. The iTunes infrastructure is well-established and constantly being improved. The labels ARE getting lots of money through this particular distribution channel. The contracts can be renewed with both sides now being able to make concessions for various reasons.
Apple wants to drop DRM because of consumer demand and the programming hassle (not to mention PR). Labels want variable pricing for whatever reason. They can each get what they want because they are still going to make money.
If the labels jack up their rates on too many of their songs (and we don't know if the new contracts limit what percentage that could be or if there is a time-limit a track can be at the top rate) people just won't buy from iTunes, forcing the labels to drop the price.
I'll be interested to see how this all plays out this spring.
It's cool, if a label decides to charge 1.29 people just won't buy it from the itunes store, and the label will learn in time.
I'm getting a lot of songs in the 'upgrade from DRM' screen that got deleted in transition from my old mac and aren't on my comp anymore. Does that mean if I get them 'upgraded' on the itunes store they'll be restored to my library? I won't have to repurchase them at the full price? If so that's amazing.
I'm getting a lot of songs in the 'upgrade from DRM' screen that got deleted in transition from my old mac and aren't on my comp anymore. Does that mean if I get them 'upgraded' on the itunes store they'll be restored to my library? I won't have to repurchase them at the full price? If so that's amazing.
Too late, Apple. I've been using the Amazon MP3 store for months, and I don't see switching back because of this.
Verizon is laughing at us all
It is so great to finally have the ability to do what verizon customers have had the ability to do for years now, purchase music without a wifi connection. yay sarcasm
It is so great to finally have the ability to do what verizon customers have had the ability to do for years now, purchase music without a wifi connection. yay sarcasm
I'm not sure how this is all going to play out yet. If the bulk of the future music I want to purchase is $1.29, I just won't buy from the iTunes store. If it's $.69, I'll likely buy more and if it's $.99 I'll likely continue at the same pace.
But there is no way in hell I'm upgrading my current library at 30% of cost of a new track.
My cost was $151. Like hell I'm gonna spend that much for minimal quality upgrade and for taking DRM off. I use only an iPhone, and if I need DRM songs, burning to CD and re-ripping is infinitely cheaper!!!
Who said you have to "switch?" I use both, depending on the deals. I mostly buy the 5 for $5 and daily deals from Amazon, but I use iTunes for most everything else because of stuff like Complete My Album. iTunes is also laid out a lot better than Amazon's store.
Good news for new purchasers
I got an iTunes gift card for Christmas and was going to re-gift it because I couldn't stand the thought of spending it on 128-bit, DRM infected tracks. I still hate the thought of paying money for compressed music, but I allow 256-bit tracks in my library so I may actually use the card now.
I feel a tiny bit sorry for all the people who are being asked to pay an additional 30 cents per track for music that won't cost me any more, but they were rather silly to pay $0.99 for 128-bit tracks in the first place.
I got an iTunes gift card for Christmas and was going to re-gift it because I couldn't stand the thought of spending it on 128-bit, DRM infected tracks. I still hate the thought of paying money for compressed music, but I allow 256-bit tracks in my library so I may actually use the card now.
I feel a tiny bit sorry for all the people who are being asked to pay an additional 30 cents per track for music that won't cost me any more, but they were rather silly to pay $0.99 for 128-bit tracks in the first place.
If the track metadata is identical, they are replaced, and the play count and rating is retained. (Old file is moved to the Trash or Desktop.)
If something has changed -- e.g. genre, song title, artist's name -- then the old track is left alone, and you get a brand new track with no play count or rating. Then you will probably want to manually go through and prune the old files.
Was going to upgrade the one itunes album I bought that isn't itunes plus already.. but apparently they won't accept my Norwegian card (I live in Sweden) so I can't, stupid ****ing store. If I change my country to Norway I have to buy the album at full price too. Guess I'll just pirate it instead.
</3
</3What a pain needing to upgrade all at once. I guess I won't be bothering unless there's a more reasonable, gradual way to do it.
Oh, and I hate the music labels. I'm going to refuse to buy any 1.29 songs period. 99 cents was perfectly reasonable. Tiered pricing is more of the same greed that put those dinosaurs in the position they're in... grrr
Oh, and I hate the music labels. I'm going to refuse to buy any 1.29 songs period. 99 cents was perfectly reasonable. Tiered pricing is more of the same greed that put those dinosaurs in the position they're in... grrr
FYI if you have ever bought a DVD, you're paying for compressed audio and video. LOL at the snoot factor of that post.
For every customer like you there are 5 that are either too lazy or not computer literate enough to buy from Amazon b/c it requires a separate download tool. There is plenty of enough biz for Amazon and Apple. Personally I'll keep buying CDs b/c they are usually the same price as the download and you can rip them uncompressed for listening on a high end stereo.