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WSJ Confirms iTunes Plus DRM-Free Audio for Independents!

An interesting discovery in the iTunes Music store while viewing fellow Sonikmatter flunky David Mondrup's newest album Folktronic, it was noted that the album was available in iTunes Plus format. DRM-Free and 256kbps goodness. Over twice the offered quality yesterday, able to be played on any standards based digital audio player and most importantly it sounds awesome.

But was this a mistake? Or merely a preemptive upgrade? According to the Wall Street Journal, Steve Jobs has confirmed that the price of Plus format songs are being offered for independent artists and labels agreeing to take part in this great experiment. No longer the domain of solely EMI, these songs will be offered at $0.99 US, and some most likely outrageous price that belies the current exchange rates for the rest of the world (you pay WHAT for your music? Songs in the UK cost £0.79 which is equivalent to around $1.43.)

Read more at the Wallstreet Journal.