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Avatar: The Last Airbender in iTunes
This afternoon, we noticed that Nick's Avatar: The Last Airbender (which I had never heard of) has been added to the iTunes Music Store [iTunes link]. Nineteen episodes from season 1 are available for $1.99US each. Season 2 follows the same subscription model that Apple is using to distribute The Daily Show and The Colbert Report: For $29.99US, you can purchase a season pass to Avatar and receive each episode automatically as they're added to the iTMS. Before you do the math, note that season 1 is listed as a "partial season," so it isn't certain how many season 2 episodes you'll get for your thirty bucks.
Linotype FontExplorer X is out of beta
The good news is that Linotype FontExplorer X is out of beta, the bad news is...there is no bad news! Dubbed "iTunes for your fonts," FontExplorer makes organizing and using the fonts in your collection extremely easy. You can even shop for fonts from within FontExplorer, iTMS-style. Changes in version 1.0 include: An optional WYSIWYG font list The ability to launch from a network volume (cool) TrueType Collection (TTC) font format recognition Universal goodness There's more, of course, and you can get the full run-down here. FontExplorerX requires Mac OS 10.3.9 or higher and is (amazingly) free.
Jack Black video podcasts in iTunes
Fresh from slaying Kong (beauty didn't kill the beast, Jack, you did), Jack Black is busy filming his next movie, Nacho Libre. If you can't wait until the movie opens on June 2nd to see what Jack is up to, you may want to check out his video podcast, Jack Black's Nacho Libre Confessional [iTunes link]. Starting on March 15th, Jack will upload two weekly, iTMS-exclusive video podcasts (every Tuesday and Thursday) that are all about the making of the film. The first one is mildly amusing. If you're a Jack Black fan, check them out.
Law and Order in iTunes
Ugh, this show is inescapable. I'm convinced that, if you surf around long enough, you can find one incarnation this show pretty much any time of the day or night. Now, you can find Ice-T and the gang in iTunes, too. Season 7 [Tunes link] and season 1 [iTunes link] are up and ready.I like that Apple isn't restricting updates to Tuesdays anymore. Every time I launch the iTMS now it's like going off on a little Easter Egg hunt to find new content.
Neuros MPEG4 Recorder brings TV to your iPod
So, you're sick of waiting for the shows you're interested in to make their way to the iTunes Music Store? Or maybe you're just sick of paying $0.99 per episode. Then check out the MPEG4 Recorder 2 by Neuros. It's a nifty little dohickey that connects to your TV and records programming in (you guessed it) MPEG 4 format onto compact flash or secure digital memory cards. Once you've grabbed your show, you pop the card into a card reader, drag the file into iTunes, sync up your iPod and you're all set. For a complete step-by-step guide for using the Neuros recorder with an iPod, look here.We haven't tried this, but it certainly looks interesting. You can pick one up for $149.99US.
Access Hollywood in iTunes
Last last night I saw the graphic to the right in the iTunes Music Store. I went to check it out again this morning to find that the related page had disappeard. Well, as of right now (2:48PM EST) it's back [iTunes link] with one (free) episode available. In the six minute video, Access Hollywood reporters antagonize interview the likes of Felicity Huffman, Reese Witherspoon and Amy Adams. If celebrities are your thing, check this one out.
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.
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]
