The Era of iTunes Three-Tiered Pricing Begins

More options and consumer-ready packaging for songs, video and more are on the docket for Apple iTunes users. The new three-tier pricing launched this week will feature a 69¢, 99¢ and $1.29 option, with the lowest price reserved for songs and albums that are released 18 months or sooner.

Part of the issue is the steady decline of CD sales at the sword tip of increasing digital sales... 14 percent lower in 2008 to be exact.  The new options may allow some wiggle room on album prices via iTunes, though the numbers and speculations are premature at this point.