Apple blocks music sales to older iTunes

As it had said it would, Apple Computer is forcing customers using older versions of iTunes to upgrade to recent versions if they want to purchase music online.

Later on Wednesday, Apple will stop allowing people running version 4.2 to purchase songs from the iTunes Music Store.

"As of today, customers will need to use one of the three most recent versions of iTunes--4.7, 4.6 or 4.5--to continue purchasing and downloading songs," Apple said in a statement provided to CNET News.com.

The company, which had warned users the move was coming, downplayed the impact of the move.

"Less than 5 percent of all iTunes customers are using the old iTunes 4.2 version, so asking them to upgrade to the free iTunes 4.7 is no big deal," Apple said.

When Apple released version 4.5 in April, the company disabled support for a number of programs that tried to expand iTunes music sharing beyond the streaming of music files. And with the new version 4.7 that Apple introduced last week, the company quietly disabled support for iPodDownload, a program that let customers copy music from an iPod into their iTunes library.

Apple touted the benefits of later versions, including features such as iMix, Party Shuffle and CD Insert Printing. The version also is required to support the features of the iPod Photo.

[Below Meigh]

Apple cored

From several discussions on other forums, the reason Apple did this was to protect itself. Seems the ipoddownload plugin that was forbidden (Apple legal went after the author and had it pulled) was somehow disabled in the latest 4.7 release.
So no copying back and forth of files from iPod to other macs (that is what Apple fears and thus Rip.Mix.Burned).
Personally, folks that have Windows can do this with other software. And 4.7 has its fair share of issues.
Apple is protecting itself. Not its customers.

[pjonesCET]

Apple blocks sales to older Itunes

What happens to those folks for whatever reason are stuck using OS9. Despite what apple thinks there are many folks still using Machines that can't use OSX. Remeber unlike PC's that have to been thrown away every 8-12 months and have gotten price down to a deluxe TV or VCR. Mac oftem last for 10 years or more. Often older people that can't afford new Apple equipment are left holding the bag.

Boycott Apple

Whose Got The Power? Apple or You?

I say we just boycott Apple! The only reason Apple iTunes is as successful as they are is because they were the first, and people have a hard time switching.

Why don't we all just take a leap of faith and just switch already. There are other music sites out there that are far better and I am sure more options are still to come. I have heard good things about Rhapsody... maybe if Apple users switch to Rhapsody, Apple will have second thoughts about how they treat their customers and stop being such a selfish bully.

http://allwaysmusic.modblog.com/

A pretty idea starting to get ugly.

One of the nice things about MP3 files and the iPod is the freedom the provide. Freedom to transport your music, carry your files, timeshift, etc.

Since the iPod supports more-or-less standard open formats, that was a good thing too.

Recent moves to make the iPod more restrictive, more closed and less flexibile really make the platform a lot less appealing for me. I should note I own 2 iPods and do not bootleg songs (I use it mostly for timeshifting or somtimes listening to my own CD's).