Apple Releases Major iTunes Update

shunnicutt writes "Apple has released iTunes 4.5 (and iPod software 2.2 and QuickTime 6.5.1) and relaxed some iTunes Music Store restrictions: now tracks you purchased can be authorized to play on up to five other computers, instead of three. However, they reduced the number of times you can burn a playlist to an audio CD from ten to seven. Another new feature is iMix, which allows you to publish playlists on iTMS, including comments on each track. The iTMS also offers a weekly free single for download." crazney adds "This release also changes their network sharing protocol in a way that breaks the open source iTunes sharing applications that have been released (based on my work on iTunes 4.2's DRM)." kefoo writes "Among the new features is Apple Lossless Encoding, which claims to compress losslessly to half the size of uncompressed CD quality audio." Hm, and I was about to re-rip all my CDs at 320 kbps MP3 ... Update: 04/28 14:56 GMT by P : I just tested, and I can listen to previously de-DRM'd AAC files from playfair, but I cannot use either playfair or FairTunes any longer. The former "Couldn't get DRM key for user," and the latter produces a blank file.

Comments

Full speed, icebergs ahead

[heironymouscoward]

Two icebergs, in particular:

1. stream ripping
2. cheap offshore music sites

The only consumers who will pay $.99 for a track are those who have absolutely no choice due to DRM in media players and mobile phones.

Re:Lossless

[sulli]

Because it's proprietary and not FLAC? Yet again Apple pushes its own non-standard format.

Still not using it

[llzackll]

Until they remove DRM. Don't let them control what you can do with your files.

O_O

[micronix1]

all this is too complicated. the restrictions, the formats, etc. i'll stick with my mp3 downloading and occasional cd buying.

How long until we see an updated DeDRMs?

[Luscious868]

I bet it'll be less than a month!

Re:(sigh)

[amichalo]

Xerox PARC invented "Drag and Drop" - it was my attempt at humor, John.

Glad to know my helpful solution to your problem was seen as a 'troll'. Had you posted your real issue, (smart playlist copying) I wouldn't have said a word.

Re:Update shows iTMS needs more selection

[dgatwood]

My momma used to tell me... art is like a truck full of manure. No matter how you look at it, it's still a load of shit....
</forrest>

Re:Update shows iTMS needs more selection

[dave420]

No, many artists don't want people to spend money on their albums, but get them free and support the artist at their live shows. That fact alone means iTMS won't be all-encompassing, by any standard.

Re:about that lossless/lossy choice

[real_smiff]

writing an app to decode MP3 headers doesn't mean you can't make better use of your storage space.

your 4 digit /. ID doesn't scare me btw. but i'm thinking by now you're not really a music fan anyway.