Originally, you could only download tracks through iTunes onto your computer and then copy them across to your iPhone, but with the launch of the iPod Touch in September 2007, Apple introduced the iTunes Wi-Fi Store, a specially designed version of the store for the iPhone and iPod Touch that allows users to download tracks directly onto their portable devices. In January 2009, Apple also added the ability to download tracks to the iPhone over 3G.

Downloading
Before you buy tracks to download from the iTunes Store, you need to have an account through your Mac or PC. Setting up the account doesn’t cost anything, although you need to supply credit card details before you can buy anything.

Setting up an account also helps prevent privacy as your details are all stored in the music that you purchase, so if a song you purchased gets downloaded online, the authorities can trace the song back to you and you will cop a huge fine.

Once the account has been set up, buying music is simple. On a Mac or Pc, simply open the iTunes application and click on the iTunes Store link in the left hand column. Browse through the catalogue or search for your favourite music, and when you’ve found something that interests you, you can hear a 30 second preview.

To buy the song, simply click on the “Buy Now” button next to the track name, enter your password and relax as the song is downloaded.

DRM Restrictions
It’s important to remember that some of the tracks downloaded from the iTunes Store are still encoded with DRM and this can restrict the number of devices you can use the tracks on. However, in January 2009, Apple announced that most of the tracks available in iTunes would be DRM free, with the complete catalogue DRM free by April.

Buying songs from the iPhone’s music store automatically moves the tracks to the “Downloads” area. To check the status of your downloads, click the button on the bottom of the screen. If you leave the Wi-Fi hotspot or 3G coverage area before a download is complete, your download will continue the next time you connect your iPhone to your Mac or PC.

You should also remember that although the iPhone 3G brings Wi-Fi like browsing speeds over your mobile network, the iTunes store only lets you buy music tracks over Wi-Fi and 3G. This is most likely to prevent too much data being used over the carrier networks.