Apple Cuts Prices On DRM-Free Music

Apple has gone on another slashing spree, this time with the DRM-Free songs on iTunes. In what was sure prompted by the Universal and Amazon.com moves, Apple has cut the prices from $1.29 to $.99. You rarely see Apple react to other companies moves, but this was a smart move on their part.

Now there is no reason to purchase any music that contains DRM from Apple, and I would hope that DRM goes the way of the gremlin.

[Apple via Gizmodo]

Microsoft Watermarking DRM-Free Music Soon

Now this sounds like a logical idea when it comes to a DRM alternative. Microsoft has developed a 'digital watermark' for audio files that would identify the content craters and the original purchaser. Although this wouldn't stop the "sharing" of music, it would prove who originally owned the track.

"That means illegally traded songs could be tracked back to the original purchaser, allowing authorities to identify illegal sharers and serving as a deterrent."

This solution would allow users to take music that they purchased and transfer it to other devices that they own. This is a much better idea than DRM, and should be looked at as a better way of doing business.

Microsoft patents watermark technology that may lock down DRM-free music [InfoWorld via Crunchgear]

EMI’s DRM-free Sales Are Working

Most of the record companies looked disgusted with EMI’s decision to turn its catalog of music loose, free of DRM. Now it seems the tables have turned, as EMI’s DRM-free approach to selling digital music is working out quite well.

According to reports, Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon has seen a sales increase between 272 and 350 percent, while OK Go’s Oh No has increased 77 percent. Those are huge numbers and could mean the difference between a paltry paycheck and a big fat one.

So with increased sales and widespread praise from just about everyone, will other record labels follow suit? Is this what the industry needed to realize that DRM just isn’t the way to go anymore? Looks like it to me.

It's funny that the record companies or movie industry rarely knows what's good for them. The movie industry thought that videos would kill there sales, now they count on them. The recording industry thought that music downloads would ruin them, now it is a huge source of income for them.

Maybe they just need to sit back and let their customers tell them what we want and just shut up.

Check out the article after the jump. [BoingBoing]

Real Network's Media Player Rips Youtube Vids and More

I've never really liked RealPlayer, as far as I'm concerned, iTunes and Windows Media Player made it obsolete.

Not anymore!!!

RealPlayer does one cool little thing that the other players can not, it can rip video, even Youtube with a single click!!

It won't work on DRM'd enabled content. But so many sites use Flash players as their sole download deterrent, or video streams that can't be saved as more than a bookmark otherwise. The UI on the player pops up over a Flash or movie stream window, allowing you to click to download. What's cool is that it preserves meta-data, like name, rating, description, and where you got it from.

Sharing videos has never been easier.
Check it out.

Hello..I'm an iTunes.....and I'm a hack!!!

The current version of iTunes, 7.1.1, has been cracked by the creators of QTFairUse6. This allows the user to strip the purchased songs from itunes of its DRM shackles. The software is only for Windows, so my Mac friends will have to wait until someone makes a version for them.

I'm sure Apple has already been informed and iTunes 7.1.2 will make sure to counter the hack.

So if you hate DRM and want to be a pirate, hit the jump for the hack.

Amazon gets its groove on

Looks like Amazon is jumping in the DRM-Free train ride that itunes started. According to the UK's TimesOnline, Amazon is ready "to launch an online music store next month"; Offering some of their content DRM free. Of course, most of the music will be from EMI and other independent companies.

No word on how much their tracks will cost.

Stay ituned!!