• 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.

    In June 2009, Apple issued $30 iTunes gift cards to customers who had issues activating their iPhone 3GS phones. Some activation users had wait times longer than two hours.Gizmodo: Apple Giving $30 iTunes Credit For iPhone 3GS Activation Snafu

    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 were originally DRM-encoded to prevent piracy
    7. The Apple iTunes Store began selling music without Digital Rights Management technology on April 7, 2009
    8. Currently the largest online music retailer in the United States
    9. Also operates online stores for international markets
    10. Songs cannot be purchased from different regions of the worldApple Support Forums: Itunes stores in different countries ... (December 3, 2007)
    11. The iTunes store originally sold songs for 99 cents eachBreitbart: Changes take effect in Apple's iTunes prices (April 7, 2009)
    12. Effective April 7, 2009, the iTunes store moved to tiered pricingBreitbart: Changes take effect in Apple's iTunes prices (April 7, 2009)
    13. Songs are now 69 cents, 99 cents or $1.29 eachBreitbart: Changes take effect in Apple's iTunes prices (April 7, 2009)

  • DRM-Free iTunes Plus

    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 was available without DRM.Apple: Apple Launches iTunes Plus (May 30, 2007) Files are still in Apple's proprietary AAC file format, although at a significantly higher Bit Rate.PCWorld: Apple Launches iTunes Plus with DRM-Free Tracks (May 30, 2007) iTunes' main competitor, eMusic, has been offering DRM-free MP3s since it launched in 1998.eMusic: About eMusic


    Apple announced in January 2009 that they would be removing the Digital Rights Management technology from their music and moving to tiered pricing. Instead of charging 99 cents for each song, Apple will now charge 69 cents, 99 cents or $1.29 each. The pricing changes and elimination of Digital Rights Management technology took effect on April 7, 2009.Breitbart: Changes take effect in Apple's iTunes prices (April 7, 2009)