Apple has finally launched iTunes 4 and their new music service! For users of LiquidAudio or Rhapsody (listen.com), this may not be earth shattering, but the fact that it’s embedded into the core software that is part of the system in addition to allowing connectivity to portables, burning to CDs, etc…. well, it’s pretty damn cool. They also released a newly redesigned iPod sporting a slick, new docking station and redesigned controls.

Songs on the music service are $.99 each, with entire albums being available for $9.99 or less (in general). Songs are in the standard MPEG-4 AAC format which is supposed to offer higher qualities at lower bitrates than MP3. 128Kbps AAC should be as good as 160 or 192Kbps MP3, depending on tests (will try to find articles when I get home).

I’ve downloaded everything and will be trying it out soon.