Speaking of Apple

Published 5/30/07

Cool: Apple has launched iTunes Plus where, for $1.29 — 30 cents more than a regular iTunes track — you can download a DRM-free, higher-quality version. At least of songs by EMI artists.

It’s a start, and it’s very cool and well worth it.

But get this. When you download the songs, Apple embeds your user information into the downloaded file. So, although you can easily share these files with anyone, they can just as easily track it back to you.

Or maybe not. iTunes songs are in MPEG-4 format (.m4a), and converting them to MP3 (the standard for sharing music) appears to remove your user info.

And even if it doesn’t, someone will soon find a way to do that.

Regardless, it’s a great way to let people get music they can play any way they want while still offering some protection against wanton privacy. Nice move.

The Fray

2 responses (add yours)

Blake says:

I’m still a fan of the good ole Compact Disc. I used to download from iTunes or MSN, but I hated the DRM, and CDs allow me to discover other songs from that artist that I probably wouldn’t have heard. I usually buy used CDs from Amazon because I’m cheap like that.

May 30th, 2007 at 6:59 PM

Andrew says:

I can definitely see that. I don’t think record companies realize how many people turned to piracy not because it’s free, but because they avoid the whole DRM thing.

As for music, there’s a bunch of stuff on Springsteen’s albums that I really like that never got a drop of airplay, so albums have a distinct appeal. I think used CDs is the best thing — get what you want, but still screw the RIAA. :)

May 30th, 2007 at 8:42 PM