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Music/video combos added to iTunes
Apple has added music/video combo deals to the iTunes music store [iTunes link]. A new page has been set up that lets you buy either the song you're after for $0.99US or its accompanying video for $1.99US (as usual), or you can get both for $2.49US.It's not huge news (I'm still waiting for the update that will bring all the Nike stuff), but it's there.
EFF technologist on DRM, Apple's role and the bigger picture
Seth Scoen, an EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) staff technologist, has an interesting blog post in which he analyzes some of the arguments surrounding DRM, Apple's role and how DRM affects the market in more ways than simply locking down content. He also hopes to remind those who have gone astray from the meat of the topic that getting caught up in the Mac vs. PC (and Apple vs. Microsoft) debates in the DRM world only serves to muddy the issue, much like many political debates get too caught up in 'Democrat vs. Republican' rivalry.One of the more important arguments that Seth examines in terms of DRM as a whole and how it affects market competition is that of 'it's the record labels, not Apple who are to blame for the use of DRM'. Seth cites an EFF post from May, 2004 in which their own Fred von Lohmann wrote about his chance to ask the iTMS head lawyer as to whether Apple would stop using DRM if the record labels got really drunk one night lifted their requirement of it. The lawyer reportedly answered "no", which prompted Seth to remind us that DRM clearly isn't just about protecting content - it's also about protecting profitable and closed products like iTunes + iPod, and, perhaps even more importantly, Apple isn't the only one trying to do this.Seth's post offers some interesting perspective on these DRM arguments, and it refreshingly delves deeper than the "Apple's solution is terrible which means you should use Microsoft's" banter. Check it out.[via BoingBoing]
Sweden jumps on anti-iTMS DRM bandwagon
It sounds like those DefectiveByDesign guys were simply in the wrong place, but at the right time: Sweden has joined forces with Denmark and Norway to add fuel to the fire of pressuring Apple into opening up its FairPlay iTMS DRM system. A quote from a Swedish Consumer Agency spokeswoman dubs the iTMS ToS flat-out "illegal", and all three countries are threatening to take the case to their respective market courts.DRM debates aside (which have been raging here over the last couple of posts), my money is on some music industry lobbyists making all this go away, as we saw when France tried this.[via Engadget]
Survivor, other CBS shows in iTunes (US)
As you may remember, CBS's president of digital media Larry Kramer announced back in February his network's intention to sell downloadable episodes of Survivor - without iTunes. For $1.99US, you got a single episode that expired in 24 hours. He stated that CBS would be moving gradually into this new media frontier.Today, they've taken what I think is a nice step forward. Survivor, Numb3rs and all three CSI's are now in the US iTunes Music Store [iTunes link]. Welcome to the party, CBS!
Star Wars: Clone Wars in iTunes
Star Wars: Clone Wars animated series has been added to the US iTunes Music Store [iTunes link]. I haven't seen it, but as an admitted Star Wars geek I know I should.It's priced at the usual $1.99US per episode, which seems rather odd as most of them are around four minutes long. Still, season 1 is available. Go and get it, Star Wars geeks.
NBC News in iTunes
Several NBC News programs have shown up in the US iTunes Music Store this morning [iTunes link], including: Various specials NBC Time Capsule (a look at classic broadcasts of historical events) Tom Brokaw Reports Crime & Punishments Meet the Presidents with Tim Russert So go and get your fix, news junkies.
iTMS does storefront customization for radio websites
Two hip-hop radio stations, Power 106 in LA and HOT 97 in NYC, have signed on the dotted line with the iTMS to offer an integrated, customized version of the store right in their own websites. The radio stations can design the store any way they see fit, and feature any artists, recent releases and playlists they want. From some quick browsing, I was able to find the iTMS integration at HOT 97's site, but not at Power 106's.hypebot, the blog where we found this, was quick to point out the vast potential this kind of partnership with the iTMS has for any kind of niche markets, businesses and organizations you can think of: "From skateboard sites selling radical tunes to a museum's site selling period music that matches their exhibitions, this could be a very exciting development for niche and indie music marketers". Indeed, this is a great example of that iPod expansion post Scott had yesterday; it sounds like Apple has plenty of tricks up their sleeve for the iPod and iTMS.
iTunes 6.0.5 "available soon"
According to Apple, iTunes 6.0.5 will be "...available soon" (check the lower right hand corner of that page). It looks like the main feature will be the new Nike section, which will feature "...Nike-generated content," including music and specifically timed workout mixes, as well as video and audio podcasts with top athletes.Apple seems to be going all-out with the Nike collaboration. I suspect we'll see TV ads in the next month or so.Thanks, Ruben!
iTMS introduces "New Rock Revealed" weekly band explorations
The iTMS has introduced an intriguing new service called "New Rock Revealed", where one band's music will be dissected each week to find who their roots and inspirations were, as well as similar sounds you can find today. This first week looks at Pearl Jam's new album (which rocks, by the way), and lists its tracks in the middle of the chart. On the left side is a list of "Roots & Influences", where songs from bands that inspired Pearl Jam are listed, track by track, matching up to the Pearl Jam songs where their influences can be heard. On the right side is the "Similar Sounds" list of bands who clearly were inspired by Pearl Jam. Each of the two lists (Roots & Influences and Similar Sounds) are available as mixes ready for purchase, priced at just over $12 apiece. I would imagine that price will fluctuate, depending on the length of the album New Rock Revealed dissects each week.This is a really cool idea, though I wish the iTMS could produce some more information along the lines of truly exploring a band's roots. I'd love to be able to read a little more into what exactly inspired Pearl Jam; where they got their sound, how they started out as a band living out of their broken-down tour bus and eating stale bread three times a day until they got their big break. With that said, I'm excited to see the iTMS whipping out clever new services like this to get people more interested in music, where it came from and where it's going.
Discovery Channel added to US iTMS
Today, the Discovery Channel has added a slew of shows to the iTunes Music Store, including the great Mythbusters [iTunes link], plus shows from Discovery Health [iTunes link], Discovery Kids [iTunes link] and The Travel Channel [iTunes link]. I'm glad about it, as most of the shows I watch are on cable.
Widget Watch: Album Art Widget
When I first saw Liquidx's Album Art Widget, I thought, "I don't want to have to jump to the Dashboard just to view album art." However, this widget does much more than that.It does display the album art of the currently playing track, and will retrieve artwork for songs that don't have any (adding this found artwork to iTunes is easy). You can also change the ratings of songs, flip the widget over to view a list of other songs on the currently selected album and use it to control iTunes. Lastly, it will let you jump to the current song's home in iTunes or Amazon.
Apple actively courting the Beatles
With the lawsuit behind them, Apple is actively trying to get Beatles music added to the iTunes Music Store. According to an article at Bloomberg, Apple Corps is currently remastering the Beatles' entire catalog, in preparation for electronic distribution. However, a vendor has not yet been named. Eddy Cue, Apple's vice president of iTunes, hopes they'll look towards the iTMS:"We certainly will do everything we can to get them on iTunes. The Beatles aren't available in any digital format today but they are going to be one day. We certainly hope that happens on iTunes." Is there too much animosity between the two giants, or can they let bygones be bygones? Time will tell. All I know is that my iPod is just begging for the White Album.[Via MacDailyNews]
iTunes Chili Peppers promo angers some fans
Ok, everyone just settle down. A couple of weeks ago, the iTunes Music Store offered a deal to fans of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Pre-order the new album [iTunes link], and receive a special code that would grant you access to a special Ticketmaster pre-sale for the upcoming tour. The codes were scheduled to be distributed yesterday, May 9 (tickets go on sale to the general public on the 13th), but so far many customers haven't heard a peep from Apple. Call me an optimist, but I'm sure everything will be OK. I know it stinks on ice when it seems you aren't getting what you've been promised, but you've still got three days before John Q. Public can get his mitts on your tickets. Patience, grasshopper.Of course, if the 13th comes and goes and leaves you ticket-less, then all bets are off.Thanks, Adam.
Finally, Fox in the iTunes Music Store
I woke up this morning to find that Fox and FX shows have been added to the iTunes Music Store [iTunes link]. On the Fox side, 24, Prison Break, Unan1mous, Stacked and some classic shows like Buffy and Firefly have been added. FX [iTunes link] brings The Shield, Black/White, 30 Days and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia to the store.Conspicuous in their absence: The Simpsons, Family Guy and American Dad. I'm hoping that it's just a matter of time before these shows make their iTMS debut. Also new to the store this morning: Inside the NBA [iTunes link] and First Hand [iTunes link].
Steve invites the Beatles to iTunes
After emerging victorious in the trademark dispute between Apple Computer and Apple Corps, Steve is extending the olive branch to the record label. In a statement made to Macworld, Steve said, "...We have always loved the Beatles, and hopefully we can now work together to get them on the iTunes Music Store...We are glad to put this disagreement behind us."Before you get a warm, fuzzy feeling in your heart, know this: Apple Corps have already issued an appeal. Can't we all just get along?[Via Playlist Mag]
Apple wins legal battle with The Beatles
Wow. As you may know, Apple (the computer company) was sued by Apple Corps (the Beatles' record label) for use of the apple logo and name in conjunction with iTunes, the iTunes Music Store and the iPod. The two groups came to a tentative agreement back in 1991 which stated, briefly, that Apple Computer would not go into the business of creating music. The iTunes Music Store and iPod got Apple Corp's ire up, and they took Apple to court. Today, Mr Justice Edward Mann ruled in Apple's favor:"I conclude that the use of the apple logo ... does not suggest a relevant connection with the creative work. I think that the use of the apple logo is a fair and reasonable use of the mark in connection with the service, which does not go further and unfairly or unreasonably suggest an additional association with the creative works themselves." As a result, the iTunes Music Store and iPod will be able to use the name "Apple." Plus, Apple Corps has to pick up Apple Computer's legal bill, to the tune of £2m. Now that's a sour note. Thanks, Jake!
3 years ago today, 1 million iTunes Music Store downloads
A few days ago we wished the iTunes Music Store a happy third birthday. Ah, three years of downloading and paying for music legally. Whodathunk it?Our friends at Apple Matters let us know that 3 years ago today the Mac only iTunes Music Store hit the million download mark.I'm thinking that this iTunes Music Store might be a hit.
It's official: iTunes tracks will remain $0.99 each
After months of debate (could you imagine being involved in "months of debate" with Steve? No, thanks), Apple and the Big Four record companies have come to a deal that will allow the iTunes Music Store to avoid variable pricing, keeping the cost of a single track to $0.99 (more or less). I'm really glad that Apple's pricing structure came out on top in this. By pricing some tracks below some others, the record companies identify those particular tunes as less "valuable," and therefore less desirable, than others. Keeping the pricing the same across the board allows me to decide which is a "good" track and which isn't my cup of tea.[Via MacDailyNews]
Single of the week turns 2
It seems that it is the week of birthdays for Apple products. First the iTunes Music store celebrates its 3rd birthday, then Tiger turns one, and now the iTunes Single of the Week is 2. How times flies.Apple has set up a special section of the iTunes Music Store to celebrate. It lists some handpicked singles that were previously featured, though now you'll have to shell out some dough to enjoy them.[via MacDevCenter]
Happy Birthday iTMS
Join us in celebrating the third birthday of the iTunes Music Store. That's right -- iTMS was launched three years ago today, April 28, 2003. iTMS may still be a toddler, but its growth has been phenomenal. It's gone in record time from a glint in Steve's eye to the top of the heap among online music stores. Happy Birthday iTMS from TUAW! May there be many more.[via iLounge]
