Apple has released an important 7.2 update to iTunes that brings the much anticipated DRM-free music tracks. DRM-free tracks cost $1.29 each rather than the $0.99 “protected” tracks. The new DRM-free tracks feature better audio quality than the “protected” DRM’ed tracks (256 kbps AAC versus 128 kbs AAC). You must update iTunes to 7.2 to see what Apple is calling iTunes Plus. You can update via Software Update on Macs.

Apple also announced that iTunes U will now be available via the iTunes Store for everyone. iTunes U started a year and a half ago as a pilot program at Stanford which put some lectures online with iTunes. Now the general public will have access to materials from top rated universities, for free.