Started iTunes this morning and found that I was able to upgrade all my previously downloaded iTunes tracks to DRM-free versions. This has benefits. The DRM-free tracks can be transported and played on other portable music players and as many computers as you own. You're not limited to 5 PCs for your purchased audio. Other benefits included a higher bitrate for your tracks, which means the quality should be slightly improved over the previous tracks.

Problem, however. The upgrade requires an 'all or nothing' approach to replacing your current tracks. You can't simply choose the tracks you want to upgrade. So, if you're bought a lot of tracks that, quite frankly, you are somewhat embarassed to own, if you do upgrade these will be upgraded too. Apparently I had 169 tracks that required an upgrade, which cost around £20. Each track is around 20p per upgrade.

iTunes download link.

08 Jan 2009