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Apple announces winner of 1 Billion Downloads contest
The song counter on Apple's homepage reached the 1 billion mark at approximately 12:38am EST on Thursday morning. The winning tune was Speed of Sound by Coldplay (those guys are everywhere these days) as purchased by Alex Ostrovsky of West Bloomfield, Michigan. Alex: Enjoy your spiffy new iMac, your collection of TEN iPods and iTunes gift card worth a total of 10 grand.
Inside the Actor's Studio in iTunes next week
In our post about Project Runway strutting into the iTunes Music Store (sorry, I couldn't resist), reader tivogirl let us know that she recently received a press release from Bravo stating that Inside the Actor's Studio would be added to Bravo's iTMS line up on February 28th. A quick search of Bravo's website revealed the aforementioned press release. Just imagine James Lipton's famous list of questions on your iPod. For some reason that makes me happy.Thanks for the great tip, tivogirl!
Podcast Academy at Boston University
You're not going out tonight until you've completed your podcast homework, mister! BU's Podcast Academy is a two-day event scheduled for April 28th and 29th that focuses on the creation, distribution and use of podcasts. Workshop topics include how to get started, choosing the right equipment and how to get listed in iTunes and elsewhere. It definitely sounds like fun and should be worthwhile for anyone who is really serious about getting the most out of this new medium.Register before March 15 and pay $250. After that, add fifty bucks.
Project Runway in iTunes...sort of
We received a tip from Radical Bender at Tunevision that Bravo's Project Runway (season 2) had been spotted in iTunes, but with no available episodes listed. We checked, and sure enough (as of 2:30PM EST, at least) it's there [link], but with no episodes available for purchase. Perhaps work on the page is just wrapping up now, or maybe it was released prematurely? Either way, we'll keep you updated.Thanks, Tunevision! Update: Two episodes have been made availabe for download as of 4:00 PM EST - a 45 minute "reunion" episode and a free, 3 minute trailer.
Free NASCAR preview in the iTunes Store
Attention, race fans (NASCAR in particular). There is a free, 20 minute preview of the upcoming Daytona 500 in the iTunes Store* [link]. Watch interviews with drivers, check out clips of 2006 "test cars" as well as never-before-seen archival footage. Did I mention it's free?The interesting thing to note here is that the clip is categorized under the heading NASCAR 2006 Races, which implies that more videos will be added as the season progresses.*Can we drop the "music" now? iTunes ceased to be exclusively a music store a while ago.[Via TuneVision]
Apple adds Comedy genre to iTMS, or: why I'm going broke
Apple has sealed my death sentence by adding an all-inclusive Comedy genre to the iTunes Music Store. I call myself a dead man because this top-level genre covers everything from audio and video content to audiobooks from all the big names, and as soon as my fiancé finds out how much I'll be spending in the ITMS from here on out, I fear my days are numbered. Highlighted names and comedians include Lewis Black (a personal fav), the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, Chris Rock and the Family Guy Live in Vegas album. Laugh it up boys and girls.[via iLounge]
Screech in iTunes
It's "new content Tuesday" in the iTunes Music Store, and this week season 1 of Saved by the Bell [link] has been made available. Screech on your iPod...isn't that one of the signs of the apocalypse? Also added to the store's video offerings are the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit videos [link], some great, old Schoolhouse Rock clips [link] and a premiere episode of Comedy Central's Drawn Together [link]
iTunes to feature Sports Illustrated swimsuit videos
When I was a young lad, the month of February meant three things: the Westminster Kennel Club dog show would greatly damage my own dog's self esteem, I had to prepare for the coldest weather of the year, and it was time to figure out how I was going to sneak the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue into the house. You kids today have your iPods, which takes all of the fun out of this annual adventure. Sports Illustrated will offer 8 videos in the iTunes Music Store for $1.99US each, featuring videos from the shoots. The magazine hits newsstands tomorrow, which just happens to be "new content Tuesday" in the iTMS (and Valentine's Day), so check it out.[Via MacDailyNews]Update: TUAW reader Jordan notes that, when you buy a paper copy of the magazine's swimsuit issue, you'll find a code that will give you one free swimsuit video download from iTunes. Thanks, Jordan!
Widget Watch: iTunes Estimator
So, you want win the iTunes 1 billion downloads contest? Don't we all. You can increase your chances with iTMS Estimator, a Dashboard widget that estimates the number of songs sold, preparing you for that crucial mouse click.Included with the download is the source code and a desktop version that runs outside of Dashboard. Good luck.
Comedy Central bumps Lost for top spot in iTunes
Sorry, Lost. Comedy Central's stand-up clips [link] are performing very well in the iTunes Music Store. In fact, Dane Cook's episode currently has the top spot for videos. I've purchased Dane's show, as well as Lewis Black's. They're fun to watch while you're bored to tears standing in line at the bank. A note to Comedy Central: Please add Ron White![Via Tunevision]
ESPN content back in iTunes
It would seem that the ESPN "This is Sports Center" ads [link] that were giving people the "...not available in the US store" error in the iTunes Music Store last week are working again. Also, extended highlights and gold medal runs from the 2006 Winter X Games [link] have been added as well.Don't forget, today is "New Music Content Tuesday," in the iTMS, so hunt around to see what you can find.
New ESPN content in iTunes
Reader Radical Bender has alerted us to some additional ESPN/ABC Sports clips that have shown up in the iTunes Music Store [Link]. Specifically, the best of the X Games (both current and from the X Games 9 in Aspen), shorts from Sports Century, five episodes of Street Ball and several of the very funny "This Is Sports Center" ads. Check it out.
MTV Show "Laguna Beach" now in the iTMS
Season One of MTV's Laguna Beach reality show has been added to the iTMS. This apparently is the first MTV show to appear on the iTunes Music Store, and perhaps hints at a larger partnership between Apple and MTV. You can find the show by doing a search in the TV category in the iTMS. There has been no official word from MTV about other shows that may be added in the near future.Drop me a line when Pimp My Ride shows up in the iTMS. That's definitely worth the 1.99 an episode.Update: Apparently there is new Comedy Central content on the iTMS as of today as well. This update includes South Park, Drawn Together, and Best of Comedy Central Stand-up. Rock! [thanks Ruben Santiago and Young!][via iLounge]
The Munsters in the iTunes Music Store
It's "New Music Tuesday" in the iTunes Music Store (shouldn't that be changed to New Content Tuesday?) and The Munsters is the latest classic television series to be made available for purchase [link]. Mockingbird Lane on an iPod...who would have thought? The 38 episodes of season 1 are available for $59.99US or $1.99 each. I'm also happy to see that four seasons of Monk have been added [link], as well as unaired episodes. Let the downloading begin.Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
iTunes Music Store in Singapore by 2007?
According to a recent article in the Straits Times, Singapore may gain access to the iTunes Music Store sometime in 2007. Consider that iPod sales over the past year in Singapore increased in the "triple digit percentages" (Apple doesn't release region-specific numbers), and it's clear that Singapore is ready for the iTunes Music Store. The Times also reports that "reliable sources" have informed them of Apple's intention to open an Apple Store in Singapore on a similar timetable. Good luck, Singapore! We're keeping our fingers crossed for you.[Via I Heart Apple]
Find iPod videos with SearchForVideo
SearchForVideo is a new service that scours the internet for iPod-compatible videos. All sorts of genres are represented, from humor to current events. There's also a video podcast, of course [link]. Choose the type of content you're interested in and be directed to the proper link in iTunes. Of course, most of these clips are culled from the net using criteria that I'm unaware of, so you're going to get some odd stuff. I chose to subscribe to the "humor" podcast, and the video I received was...interesting, to be polite (not entirely safe for work). If you simply can't cram enough video onto your iPod, visit SearchForVideo.[Via Macworld UK]
Apple posts podcast tutorials
Now this is pretty cool: Apple has posted a series of eight video podcasts to the iTunes Music Store [link] that explain how to make a great podcast (both audio and video) with iLife '06. Topics include setting recording levels in GarageBand, making use of introductory music and sound effects, adding web links and images and editing video with iMovie HD.Check out these video tutorials, they contain some useful information.[Via Micro Persuasion]
Happy (Belated) birthday, iTunes!
How could we possibly forget? Macsupport.ca reminds us that iTunes came screaming and kicking into the world on January 9, 2001. That was five years ago? How time flies when you see it go by $0.99 at a time.Anyway, we thought we'd take a little trip down memory lane with just a few of the important events in the early life of "...the world's #1 digital music jukebox." Cue the sappy music. January 9, 2001: iTunes 1.0 arrives at MWSF, and is downloaded 275,000 times in the first week. October 23, 2001: iTunes reaches the "terrible two's." Version 2.0 is made available. That 10-band EQ and cross-fade feature had us all swooning. July 17, 2002: Version 3.0 is released. Smart playlists debut, as does support for Audible content. April 28, 2003: iTunes 4.0 and the iTunes Music Store debut. What a difference nine months makes. I can still remember watching this Keynote at work (back when we could still watch live keynotes) and sitting stunned in my chair. AAC encoding also first appeared in version 4.0. October 16, 2003: Hell freezes over. iTunes is released for Windows. That's right, Windows. The good news: It's not some watered down, hastily assembled port of the Mac version, but a shot-for-shot duplicate of the original. Windows users everywhere ask, "Is all your software like this?" We just grin. July 17, 2005: 500 million downloads and counting. By now, the iTunes Music Store is available in the US, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Canada, the UK, Germany and France. May 9, 2005: Video killed the radio star. Video support is added. October 12, 2005: Quickest update ever. iTunes 6.0 is released less than one month after version 5.0. Mac users everywhere say, "Whaa..?" while Steve zooms around in his Gulf Stream. Television shows and video downloads are added. January 10, 2006: The next big announcement. Music fans await the next innovation from our beloved iTunes. Of course, this post wouldn't be complete without mentioning that other event from October 23, 2001: The birth of the iPod. But that's a story for another time.Thanks, Scott!
Pussycat Dolls vingle available on iTunes
It looks like the term 'vingle,' refers to 'video single,' which is slightly disappointing given the rumors of old. However, if you like video singles you should check out the Pussycat Dolls exclusive vingle premier, Beep. Why? Because iTunes told you to.
Free promotional episode of Monk to be available on iTunes
According to this graphic on the iTunes Music Store you will soon be able to download a free promotional episode of Monk, the USA detective show (which I happen to be a big fan of). At the time I am writing this when you click on that graphic it takes you to the 3rd episode of season 4, but lists the price as $1.99. I expect this to change shortly (to free).Is this just the first of many free promo shows? I sure hope so.
