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iTunes Store gains Star Trek podcasts, music and books, American Dad debuts
First, the original Star Trek debuted in the iTunes Store, then the TV series (not movies) was pulled for some odd reason. Then the shows returned, but now we have a dedicated Star Trek section that's been beefed up with podcasts, music (soundtracks, really), audiobooks and more. Now all we need TNG and Farscape, and the iTS's Sci-Fi section will be complete.In the TV Show comedy aisle, however, another classic has been added: American Dad, beginning with a season pass for Season 2 (1, strangely, is nowhere to be found) at $37.99. Now all we need is Family Guy and I might very well be able to cancel my Comcast cable service.
Starz suez Disney over iTunes movies
We all bemoan the fact that most of the movies in the iTunes Store come from Disney, and its various studios, however, it looks like Starz has real reason to complain. According to this press release Starz, a cable movie channel, had signed two agreements with Disney which give Starz the power to approve of online sales of Disney movies before they happen. Starz has exclusive rights to air Disney movies, and they argue that Disney didn't check with them before agreeing to distribute movies via iTunes, and other online services.Since His Steveness is the largest Disney shareholder, and the CEO of our favorite fruit company, I bet he is none too pleased with this news.[via NewTeeVee]
Elton John signs an exclusive iTunes deal
Well, for a while, at least. Sir Elton John will release his entire back catalog of music - that's 30 + albums and over 400 songs - exclusively to the iTunes Store (ITS) on March 26. The ITS will remain the exclusive online distributor of this collection of music until April 30th, at which time Elton will (presumably) make the offer to other distributors.It's a coup for Apple, as Elton is a legendary musician, and a display of faith in iTunes by Elton himself. Now, as Infinite Loop points out, this is what many of us were hoping would happen with the Beatles' music now that their legal case with Apple had been settled, but it won't be the case. Anyway, if you're a fan of Sir Elton and you're looking to complete your collection, fire up iTunes on March 26th.
Oscar-nominated short films in iTunes Store
There are two Oscar award categories with films that almost no one ever sees, and those are the live action and animated short films. Unfortunately, these films usually never make it past film festival circuits and don't receive wide distribution, and typically they are welcomed with a big "huh?" when they pop up during the Academy Awards ceremony. Anyway, this year's short film nominees are available for purchase in the iTunes Store, along with previous winners and nominees. Priced at $1.99 each, the videos are not much of a big investment and might be worth the price of admission, just to get a feel for what a Oscar-nominated short film looks like. The curious can scope them out here (warning: iTunes link).
IFC films now available in iTunes Store
IFC Entertainment has just announced the immediate availability of select independent films in the iTunes Store, including IFC's 2007 Independent Spirit Award (think Oscars for indies) nominees. All thirteen films, six of which are nominees for the award ceremony this weekend, are available for purchase at $9.99. The other films are previous Independent Spirit Award nominees, highlighting some of the most critically acclaimed titles in IFC's catalog. Film titles include Me And You And Everyone We Know, The Thin Blue Line, Pizza, Sorry, Haters, Camp, Go Tigers!, and others. Also available are free podcasts dedicated to each of the movies with behind-the-scenes footage and discussions. No word on potential future releases from IFC.
Apple TV takes over DVD world, or 30%, at least
I don't give predictions of market analysts too much serious thought, mostly because the statistics don't really mean much other than to hype up a particular product. Or maybe these analysts just like to be able to say 'told ya so' if their predictions become true. Anyway, one Deutsche Bank analyst claims that the Apple TV can potentially capture 20-30% of the CD and DVD market within a few years after its launch this month. Not to be a naysayer or anything, but that is a huge percentage that seems way too optimistic to be taken seriously. There are a ton of factors at play here. (Oh, and let's not forget that only Disney, Paramount, and Lions Gate are on board to sell films through iTunes... and as far as I know, there are a couple more movie studios out there than just these three). What do you think? Will the Apple TV cause that big of a shakeup in the home entertainment market once it lands? Will it appeal only to fervent Apple fans? What about those people that can barely operate the remote control of their DVD player, never mind tackling the prospect of downloading and transferring digital videos? Any thoughts?
Anime lands in the iTunes Store via Funimation
Anime has officially landed in the iTunes Store today, courtesy of Funimation Entertainment, with newly available series for purchase including Samurai 7, Speed Grapher, and Desert Punk. Each episode from all three franchises are available for $1.99 each, and season passes can be purchased for $38.99. Notably, the videos are only offered with the option of an English dub, and knowing how particular many fans are about strictly watching shows with the original Japanese language tracks and subtitles, this might be a serious deal breaker. Other than this issue, I guess this is not such a horrible deal considering most shows would cost you anywhere from $4-6+ per episode on DVD. (Of course, that's if you don't mind the limited viewing options, DRM, and lower quality.) But, yeaaa. There you go. Anime. In the iTunes Store. Today.
Apple announces Lionsgate Movies now in the iTunes Store
Apple today announced the availability of movies from the Lionsgate studio in the iTunes Store. Blockbusters like Terminator 2, LA Story and Basic Instinct are available today, with more than 150 titles on their way by the end of the month. Unfortunately, this looks like another Paramount score - unless those movies still en route are new releases, it feels a lot more like Lionsgate is still wearing the bright orange floaties while dabbling their toes on the kiddie side of the pool, instead of waking up and actually embracing the future.
Star Trek shows pulled from iTunes Store (US)
Here's something strange: it seems that all Star Trek TV shows have been pulled from the iTunes Store (US). Apple Gazette identified the omission this morning, and darned if we can find them. The movies are still in place, however.Anyway, they're gone... maybe caught in a Tholian web.
Questioning the security of a closed FairPlay
Ken Fisher at Ars Technica thinks something smells fishy about Steve Jobs's claims that licensing a DRM system will lead to its defeat. By comparing the security track records of iTunes's FairPlay and Microsoft's rival and heavily-licensed PlaysForSure, Ken might also have a good point. As history goes, FairPlay has been cracked four times (including Real's own hack for their store), while PlaysForSure has suffered only one true crack in its time. Perhaps more significant than either of these numbers, however, is that none of these DRM breaches were the result of secrets being shared from the inside; they apparently were all spearheaded by creatives from the community who might not hold digital rights management in the highest of regards. Of course, the issue isn't nearly this cut and dry. The iTunes Store's 800-pound gorilla-like popularity can help explain its greater number of breaches (however: wouldn't one be more interested in cracking the store that offers unlimited music via subscription?). In the end, Ken settles on revisiting the possibility of licensing DRM. Since Jobs already let the 'get rid of DRM' cat out of the bag, however, I'm thinking the public isn't going to put the idea to rest anytime soon.
iTunes gathers Love Songs
Love is in the air, and it would seem it is also in the iTunes Store. Valentine's Day is right around the corner and no doubt you'll want to fill your iPod to the brim with a wide assortment of love songs. iTunes is there with a special section called, oddly enough, Love Songs.Here, in one place, are a number of different love song compilations for your buying and listening pleasure. Tell someone you love them the only way that counts, by purchasing them something.
Apple Inc. and Apple Corps Ltd. finally settle trademark dispute, still no major iTunes release from Beatles
Apple Inc. and the Beatles' record label Apple Corps Ltd. have finally buried the hatchet and settled their very, very on-going dispute over 'Apple' related trademarks. After more than a decade of fighting over Apple's use of the name in selling music-related products, as well as music itself with the iTunes Store, the two companies are calling it a day. From the press release: "Under this new agreement, Apple Inc. will own all of the trademarks related to "Apple" and will license certain of those trademarks back to Apple Corps for their continued use." In other words: it seems as though Apple Inc. has won the trademarks, but we don't really know how or why. In fact, both parties are eating their own legal fees. A quote from Steve Jobs doesn't help much either: "We love the Beatles, and it has been painful being at odds with them over these trademarks. It feels great to resolve this in a positive manner, and in a way that should remove the potential of further disagreements in the future." Unfortunately, this hasn't heralded the much rumored debut of the Beatles' catalog in the iTunes Store, despite Mr. Jobs' open invitation - yet.
Rumors: iTunes TV to debut in Europe
MacWorld UK reports that Apple will launch its European TV and Movie iTunes store this spring. Luxenbourg's Economy Minister, Jeannot Krecke, claims that Apple will set up its service in Luxembourg to capitalize on the country's low (15%) VAT--although if Apple were hunting for a tax haven, wouldn't you think they'd look at the Channel Islands first? Anyway, rumors of European iTunes video content have surfaced regularly over the last few months, so this report just adds more buzz to the fire.
Expect Superbowl highlights in iTunes
Apple has fostered a relationship with the NFL this year, posting game and team highlights, as well as NFL network programming, to the iTunes Store all season long. We're sure that Superbowl Highlights will also be added, but until then you can relive Superbowls past through the eyes of the players and coaches who were on the field in a new series of videos [iTunes link]. I'll be rooting for the Bears this year, only because the Colts eliminated my beloved Patriots. Maybe I'll just relive the Pats' 2004 season.[Via Infinite Loop]
The cool music you can't buy on iTunes, unless you're in Japan
Paul Collins, writing for Slate, laments all the cool music that people outside of Japan are missing out on via the iTunes Store. As you know, if you don't have a credit card tied to an address in a particular country you can't buy any music from that country's flavor of the iTunes Store. If you're in to J-Pop, or any of the other vibrant Japanese music scenes, this means in order to take advantage of the massive catalog on iTunes Japan you need to be in (or at least have a credit card in) Japan.This isn't unique to the Japanese iTunes Store, of course, every country specific store also has a bunch of songs you can't buy outside of that country's iTunes Store. Collins wonders why these borders are enforced for digital downloads, but I imagine it is another sign of the Recording industry's deathgrip on content. Music wants to be free, geographically speaking that is.If you're jonesing for some Japanese music via iTunes there are work around. Give something like jbox a try.
Apple's Norwegian troubles could increase
Norway's Ombudsman has never been a fan of Apple's DRM. We've covered this a few times here on TUAW, but it looks like things are coming to a head. It has been decided that the iTunes DRM is illegal according to Norwegian law, and now Apple has until March to change the terms until the first legal steps will be taken against Apple.Will this signal a massive change in Apple's DRM? Or will it mean Apple leaving Norway? Only time will tell, but I can't imagine Apple will just give up on the entire European market.Update: Norway, as it has been pointed out, is not now, nor has it ever been, a part of the EU. Finland, however, is and they have the same issues with Apple's DRM. My apologies to our Norwegian readers.
WWDC sessions available to all ADC members on iTunes
Back in October, Apple dropped DVDs as their distribution system of choice for WWDC sessions and presentation slides. The company moved all this content to iTunes - but only for Select and Premiere members of the ADC (Apple Developer Connection). Today I just received an ADC email titled "Watch Mac OS X State of the Union," re-announcing the availability of this content, but seemingly for all ADC members. This time around there is no talk of access only for specific members, so it sounds like anyone with a valid ADC account of one level or another can access this library of Mac OS X development goodness. We would post the URL, but it seems as though it is only accessible by logging into one's ADC account online.[Update: According to readers, it sounds like only the general State of the Union sessions are offered, while access to "the juicy stuff" still requires a Leopard Early Starter Kit.]
Over 100 Paramount movies now available on iTunes Store
Today's Keynote theme is 'from rumor to reality,' and as Michael posted earlier over 100 Paramount movies are now available for purchase from the iTunes Store (most for $9.99). This marks the first studio that isn't directly involved with Disney to make their movies available on iTunes. Can the others be far behind? Knowing Hollywood's traditional fear of digital distribution, sadly I think the others could, in fact, be far behind.
iTunes now 4th largest music retailer
In case your synapses are still blown with iPhone, a quick trip back to the beginning of the keynote today: the iTunes Music Store has sold over two billion songs, and is now the fourth largest music retailer in the US, ahead of Amazon.com and sneaking up on #3 Target. So much for the faux slowdown...
Original Star Trek on iTunes Store
These are the voyages of the Starship iTunes. As part of Apple's continuing mission to rule to known universe of downloadable TV shows, season one of the original iconic scifi television series Star Trek (affectionately known as TOS to Trekkers) has just been added to the iTunes store. So now for only $1.99 per episode (or $56.99 for all of season one), you can take Kirk, Spock, and McCoy with you on your iPod wherever you go. Unfortunately, casual inspection of some of the preview clips seems to show inconsistent quality (i.e. some of the shows seem to be from the digitally remastered bunch that CBS is slowly releasing and others not). Now if only my iPod would make the communicator bleepy-da-bleep noise when I turn it on to watch Trek all would be golden.
