In a press release today Apple, Inc. says that it’s ubiquitous iTunes Music Store has had over 5 billion song purchases and downloads since its debut. 
Apple is beating out even mega e-tailers like Amazon.com’s mp3 download service, who has only a 10th of the volume, according to CNET. In fact, Apple’s iTunes music store has exceeded Wal-mart’s in-store sales to become the United States’ largest retailer of music, period.
Apple’s iTunes Music Store has over 6 billion 99-cent songs for download, as well as a large selection of DRM-Free high-fidelity music downloads, audio books, movies, rentals, ring tones, and iPod games available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year long.
If you’re not a fan of the DRM, no matter how many times Apple redesigns their DRM method, there’s always the tried-and-true buy it, burn it, rip it back in method of removal. You’ll lose a small bit of quality, but only audiophiles with excellent sound systems should even notice, if at all.
There’s also some lossless methods available, but mentioning them here violates the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and might result in a cease and desist order. But if you’re curious, Google is your friend.
I can’t believe so many people are still using iTunes when there are plenty of DRM-free options out there. Yeah, you can buy-burn-rip, but what a pain in the ass.
I’ll never buy from iTunes. If it’s a song only available from iTunes, I’ll yank it from a Torrent. Good job for contributing to internet piracy, Apple. ;)