iTunes - THE Most Important Accessory for your iPod

Like hundreds of thousands of others, you have just opened your new iPod. Now, before you look at new headphones, or speakers or even a new carrying case, you need to get the most important iPod accessory ever made. What is "it"? "It" is the newest version of the iTunes software from Apple. What does "it" do? It does a lot, but most importantly it syncs the music on your computer (PC or Mac) with the music on your iPod. Simply, quickly and beautifully.

The Set-Up

A quick search on Yahoo and Google brings up websites that, at first glance, appear to offer a free download of the iTunes software. Sites like: itunesandipods.com, utunes-player.com, mp3-music-source.com and free-itunes-2007.com, all have a fine print disclaimer at the bottom that says something similar to: "This website has no affiliation whatsoever with the owner of this software program, and provides ONLY a link to the software program."

A Payment Page....

After you click on the "Click to Download iTunes" link or button you are asked for: Your email, first name, last name and country. The following page, surprise, surprise, takes you to a Payment page!

So, what is the story here?

The site asking you for money is part of a group of sites that seeks to charge for a service that is otherwise free. These particular one provide "access" to iTunes, a music program from Apple. You can download it for free from the Offical Apple Store .

Basically, these sites advertise "iTunes downloads" or similar, but what they actually offer is a link to download the program from Apple. You have just paid for something that you could have downloaded for free.

Many of these sites appear legitimate, offering customer support, professionally designed websites and advertising on Google and Yahoo. A site called p2pscams.info has established a list of known music scammers, or "rogue sites".

Looking at Both Sides of the Scam

So the question is, are these truly scam sites, are they walking the line, or are they truly legitimate websites? Well, you could get iTunes for free - that is true. These iTunes Download sites provide you a link to download the software from Apple.

The iTunes software is available for free on the Apple website, but the grey area in the scam-o-meter is that, for Internet novices, it could be a daunting task to look for this software as they may have no idea that Apple is the true source. On top of that they have to make sure that they do not download spyware, adware or other nefarious software. Joining a slick membership site and having a step-by-step guide to all the info in one place is not a bad option for many of them. Another advantage is the fact that these download sites provide a help desk for their members.

So, is this a scam if these sites are providing a link to software that people can get for free from Apple?

Let's consider an off-line example...

You need a telephone number, so you look it up in the telephone book.  If you don't have the correct white pages directory, you'll need to go out and get one. The Public Library would be a good place.

Or you could save yourself some time and gas, and dial Directory Assistance.

You will be quickly provided with the information you need, which is available for free, and you will be charged for it.

So, is the Directory Assistance service a scam?  Scam is a harsh word and starts to become more of a subjective decision than a clear black and white one. Verizon charges $1.25 for a single number, Easy411.com charges 65 cents and will give you two numbers on the same call. Some would say that Verizon's Directory Assistance is a scam. Others would say that Verizon is charging what the market can bear and you are paying for the convenience of dialing 411, instead of the more complicated setup with Easy411.

Will You Still Join?

Having read this far into this article, it is unlikely that you will still want to join one of these sites. However, you may want the hand-holding they offer. If you have decided to join one of these sites, choose one that gives a guarantee that you can have your money back if you are not fully satisfied (usually 7 days). Once you have joined, test out everything, especially their helpdesk. If you have no questions, ask them a few things you know already, just to test their response. And last but not least, do not hesitate to charge back your money if you are not completely satisfied.

Downloading iTunes Version 7.0.2 for Free

iTunes allows you to easily integrate new music. Insert a music CD into your computer and iTunes asks if you want to import all the songs to your PC. And then it puts those same songs directly onto your iPod.  iTunes is the most important accessory for your iPod. Yes, it is software, but it is the first and most integral accessory you require for your iPod.

You thought you were just "getting an iPod". But combined with iTunes and other iPod Accessories, this is a life-changing technology that allows you to express who you are. Music for your life. Thank you Apple, not only for the iPod, but also for the completely free download of iTunes

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