The important stuff:

Apple launched its DRM-free music tracks from EMI’s digital catalog on its iTunes Plus site Wednesday, keeping its promise that it would offer the music files in the month of May.

The DRM-free songs, which feature high quality 256 kbps AAC encoding, are offered at $1.29 per song; iTunes will continue to offer its five million-plus songs in 128 kbps AAC encoding at 99 cents a song. Consumers can upgrade previously purchased EMI songs to iTunes Plus tracks for 30 cents a song and about $3 for an album.

Apple noted that iTunes Plus songs can be played on iPods, Mac and Windows computers, and widescreen TVs outfitted with Apple TV technology. The company said the songs can also be played on the Apple iPhone, which is scheduled to launch in late June.

This is great news for Itunes users like me who currently have to take “a long way around” to bypass DRM and play their files on other platforms. Sure its a bit more money, but I may end up buying a couple and see if its really worth it.

Thanks for reading!