Apple has finally announced that iTunes is to go DRM-free, however, there are still some vociferous critics of Apple's iTunes strategy.
Ben Drury, CEO of independent online music store 7digital.com has a good point to make on Apple's DRM-free claim.
"Downloads from iTunes are still in the AAC file format regardless of whether they are DRM-free," Drury reminds TechRadar.
MP3 beats AAC
"7digital.com prides itself on offering the MP3 universal download format, which works across any iPod, MP3 player or mobile phone.
"The AAC file format is only compatible with iPods/iPhones and a limited number of other devices. So consumers who buy downloads from iTunes are still restricted to where they can play that music regardless of whether it's DRM free or not."
Fair point. Well made.
UPDATE:
7digital's CEO BenDrury also added that: ""AACs can be converted to MP3s but this is a hassle and involves significant loss of quality.
"If you convert a 256kbps AAC file to 320kbps MP3 you will lose a lot of fidelity. 7digital.com's standard format is 320kbps MP3 and these have been sourced from a lossless archive format.
"Also, charging people for "upgrading" to iTunes plus is, quite frankly, a rip-off and something that I'm sure consumer associations will be up in arms about!"
Your comments (3) Click to add a new comment
dodfaefife
January 8th
3. Who exactly are these people howling in rage at having to use iTunes? It's not as if it punches you in the throat every time you launch it. It's a nice bit of software that works very well. Get over it. And who are these (presumably even smaller number) of people so tech savy they juggle their vast music collections across umpteen devices/software/sound and hardware formats and hate the thought of only being able to use one or two of them? – most of us buy one personal player and want some way to play them through our Hi-Fi.
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zoydwheeler
January 6th
2. Yes, you can right-click each AAC file as you obtain it to convert it to MP3. Sounds a bit of a fangle though - I'm with the 7digital guy on this one. I think Apple is kinda pulling a bit of a fast one on music consumers here.
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drewuk
January 6th
1. Are people forgetting any iTunes plus downloads can be converted to MP3 format within iTunes and then copied to whatever device you wish to use them on.
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