iTunes Changes Pricing Structure

This April the days of the $.99 iTunes song will change. Apple announced that it will introduce a variable pricing structure based on popularity charging consumers 69 cents, 99 cents or $1.29 per song. Naturally the most popular artists will cost more, but complete albums will still usually cost $9.99.

But that's not the biggest news. Apple is also removing some of the download restrictions. That has always been my big personal gripe with them. As it is now you can't download music from iTunes and add it to an non-Apple MP3 player. You also can't put your music on multiple computers, like your desktop and your laptop, without difficultly. And if you were to upgrade your computer moving your music files was a nightmare. Now those restrictions will be lifted. The entire Apple song library is scheduled to move to the new iTunes Plus in March to be ready for the April release.

It will be interesting to see if the iTunes Plus has a positive impact on the Recording Industry's falling profits. It may allow for easier sharing and less wallet pain for anyone who is not interested in the latest Jonas Bros. hit.