Guide Note

The iTunes Store is an online media store run by Apple Inc. that allows users to purchase digital music, movies, television shows and video games. The purchasing and downloading process is carried out entirely through the iTunes application.

Fast Facts

1. Owned by: Apple
2. Launched: April 28, 2003
3. Latest Version: iTunes 7
4. Total songs sold: Over 5 billion
5. Sells music in AAC format
6. Songs are DRM-encoded to prevent piracy
7. Currently the largest online music retailer in the United States
8. Also operates online stores for international markets
9. Songs cannot be purchased from different regions of the world¹

On May 30, 2007, Apple launched iTunes Plus, a branch of the iTunes Store that sells music without any DRM protection. Only music owned by EMI Records is available without DRM.² Files are still in Apple's proprietary AAC file format, although at a significantly higher bit rate.³ iTunes' main competitor, eMusic, has been offering DRM-free MP3s since it launched in 1998.⁴

iTunes 8 upgrade and iTunes 8 download

High definition TV shows from the iTunes store for $2.99

iTunes Genius: Smart playlists for iTunes

iPod Classic: 120GB for $249

New 4G iPod Nano: 8GB for $149, 16GB for $199

New iPod Touch: 3GB for $229, 16GB for $299, 32GB for $399

iPod Touch features: Thinner, 36 hours of music, built-in speaker/App Store/Nike+

New App Store games such as Spore Origins utilize the iPod Touch accelerometer

New earbuds featuring pause/play/volume controls for $79

iPhone firmware upgrade improves battery life and call connections

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