SOUPED UP iTUNES STORE OPENS

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) – It isn’t new. But to a bunch of people, it’s considered an improved way to buy music. Apple has launched its new version of iTunes — one that lets people buy music that doesn’t contain copy protection. So far, there’s only a fraction of the iTunes lineup available for purchase with no restrictions on their being used in portable media devices other than iPods.
The first offerings under the new arrangement include thousands of songs from music company EMI — which features tunes from acts like Coldplay, The Rolling Stones, Norah Jones, Frank Sinatra, Pink Floyd and Paul McCartney. Analysts expect that down the line, all online music sales will be offered without the kinds of copy restrictions that some blame for slowing down such purchases.