Pre-ordering is simple. You pre-order the album. You're not billed until the album is released. If there is any content related to the album, available for download at the time, you will get to download it. You will receive more than one email confirmation(date of pre-order, updates regarding pre-order, day before release, and day of release). It's true that there is no set time for the final email, but you will get one. You still have until you actually download the completed album to back out of the purchase. If you decide to back out, you will only be charged if there was earlier content available(at the time of pre-order). All new music availability is Tuesdays, weekly. It is available for download at exactly Midnight, meaning 12:00 am, Tuesday morning. Trust me. I download on my iPhone, via iTunes WIFI Store, every Tuesday morning at 12:15 am.