iTunes Store music downloads are purchases (no DRM except watermark/metadata.) Not encrypted, drag-and-drop copy, easy transcode, etc. Sadly stuck at 256kbps AA

iTunes Store music downloads are purchases (no DRM except watermark/metadata.) Not encrypted, drag-and-drop copy, easy transcode, etc. Sadly stuck at 256kbps AAC since 2007 even though the iTunes/Music app has always supported lossless. Apple Music (subscription only) downloads are rentals, controlled by DRM that refuses to play or stream them unless you have an active subscription. Steve Jobs was wrong: people are OK not owning music as long as they can easily stream it.