Apple today released a new version of the iTunes software for Mac and Windows systems, and in the process enabled two major new sections for the iTunes Store.

iTunes Plus is the long-awaited DRM-free segment of the iTunes Store, where DRM-free music tracks featuring high quality 256 kbps AAC encoding are available for $1.29 per song. The standard 128 kbps AAC versions with DRM will continue to be available for 99 cents, and those who have already purchased the 99 cent versions can upgrade any or all of their purchased tracks for 30 cents per track (or less, if purchased as albums). iTunes Plus is launching with EMI's digital catalog of recordings, including singles and albums from Coldplay, The Rolling Stones, Norah Jones, Frank Sinatra, Joss Stone, Pink Floyd, John Coltrane and more than a dozen of Paul McCartney's albums available on iTunes for the first time. Playlist offers a good first look at using the iTunes Plus store features, including a tutorial on how to upgrade your collection.

For some time, Apple has offered iTunes U to a number of colleges and universities to distribute course material and special events to their student bodies. Now, iTunes U has become open to the public at large through the regular iTunes Store, allowing free downloads of selected course lectures, special events, and even campus tours from Stanford University, UC Berkeley, Duke University and MIT (among others) as iTunes downloads.