The iTunes Music Store downloads are encoded using the AAC (advanced audio coding) format, and protected using Apple’s FairPlay digital rights management scheme, which limits the number of computers you can play the music on (five), and the number of times that a single playlist can be burned to CD (seven). Unfortunately, few portable music players outside of the iPod will play these songs. Luckily for iTunes users, the iPod is considered by many to be the most desirable portable music player. To learn more about the differences between Apple’s AAC files and the WMA files being sold by most other download stores, see the sidebar, Battling DRM Formats, on page 60.

Apple’s music catalog is large, with over 1,000,000 tracks, and contains music from the Big 5 music labels as well as over 600 independent labels. Unique among the music services is their selection of audio-books (over 5,000) and spoken word recordings, made available by agreement with Audible.com. This includes archived shows from National Public Radio, such as Car Talk, This American Life, and Fresh Air. For the iPod user on the go, the availability of this material is a major plus. Note: Many archived National Public Radio shows can be played for free on the Web, but they require that you be connected via the Internet to listen. In addition, Apple recently got access to the Disney catalog of recordings.

The iTunes Music Store offers music recommendations, historical Billboard charts, and celebrity created playlists with commentary. iTunes Music Store staff have also created thematic playlists (e.g., “breakup songs”, “choral gems”) under the heading “iTunes Essentials.” The artist information includes artist biographies and album notes. More recently, Apple debuted a new feature called iMix, which allows users to create and share playlists. Also new is a collection of radio airplay charts, organized by city and by station across the U.S. For example, if you live in Wichita you can browse charts from eight different radio stations that serve that market.

The iTunes software also lets you listen to Internet radio stations that use the MP3 audio format. A directory of these stations is available within the player. Other MP3 radio stations can be found using the Shoutcast (http://shoutcast.com) and Live365 (http://www.live365.com/index.live) directories. iTunes Music Store customers looking for a robust Internet radio service are recommended to try Live365 (see Chapter 2). In addition to being an excellent service, its stations can be played using the iTunes player. A number of Live365 stations are already listed in the iTunes radio directory. Also, a new Macintosh version of their Radio365 software lets listeners use the iTunes Music Store to buy tracks they hear on Live365

In addition to the usual credit card payment options, the iTunes Music Store offers gift-certificates, prepaid cards (available at Target stores nationwide) and a scheme which lets you set music “allowances” for your children (or perhaps yourself!). PayPal is also accepted. In addition, if you’re an American Online (AOL) user, you can sign-in using your AOL screen name and buy iTunes downloads using your AOL account.

If your computer meets the system requirements, go to the iTunes download page (http://www.apple.com/itunes/download) and follow the instructions for downloading and installing the free iTunes software.

See Chapter 31, iTunes Music Store Discovery Plan, for a detailed seven-day plan showing you how to get up-to-speed with the iTunes Music Store, and get the most out of its features.

Once iTunes is installed, start it up and click on the music store icon on the left side of the player. This will call up the music store home page. Here you can browse the offerings or search for specific songs, artists or albums. If you want to buy some music, click on the account sign in button. A box will open up, giving you the option to create new account. Here you will be asked to supply your credit card and account setup information. Once this has been completed you will be able to buy music.

• What's a Classical Music Lover to do?
• The Best Music of 2004: Who Has it and for How Much?
• Get Your Playlist On! (music mix resources)

Live365 LAUNCHcast Rhapsody

eMusic Musicmatch