Entry #16 Could Apple be Removing the Cuffs

Tech News

It appears that the tech rumor mill is stirring up a story that might finally be what music lovers have been waiting for. ApplieInsider a reputable apple blog has just published a story that today Apple will remove the dreaded DRM (Digital Rights Management) from their music. Now for those that still purchase there music through CD this will mean very little to you but for those of us entangled in the glorious web of the ipod and buying music online from iTunes this could mean Apple might finally let you breath.

So what is DRM and why is removing it liberating?

DRM is a digital protection method that prevents people from playing digital music on unauthorized devices. This means if you buy a song from iTunes you could only play that song on a device that Apple though fit which meant an ipod. It also prevented you from putting that music on more then five (compatible) devices or giving it away. Now the latter is of course illegal but the others are simply restrictions on people that trying not to pirate music. Therefor people that use ipods and in turn use iTunes for there music have been suffering with DRM limitations for years. Finally music lovers might be able to buy music from iTunes and easily put it on other devices besides an ipod.

Now there has been plenty of alternative music stores that have been DRM free for quit some time now but for us in Canada these services have not been available. so my hope here is that Apple is able to make this happen and also make it happen in Canada (which could be the reason it took so long for Apple to change over to DRM free.) Because if Apple don't we in Canada will get the proverbial shaft like with other online media.

Gadget

Here is a gadget that take text messaging to a whole new level. "Honey I got a text... it is time" could be the next phrase you hear from your wife's lips. Babycenter.com has a service that will text you 18 time, 3 time for 6 months, telling a women when she is most fertile and when it will be ideal to become pregnant.