As expected, Apple has begun blocking users of iTunes 4.2 or lower from making purchases from the iTunes Music Store. The company is encouraging users to upgrade to more recent versions of iTunes. “As of today, customers will need to use one of the three most recent versions of iTunes — 4.7, 4.6 or 4.5 — to continue purchasing and downloading songs,” Apple said in a statement provided to MacMinute. “Less than 5% of all iTunes customers are using the old iTunes 4.2 version, so asking them to upgrade to the free iTunes 4.7 is no big deal. iTunes 4.7 is a free download and includes innovative features such as iMix, Party Shuffle, CD Insert Printing, and support for the complete line of iPods including the new iPod Photo.”