The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)http://www.tuaw.comThe Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/feedlogo.gifThe Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)http://www.tuaw.comen-usCopyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/iTunes LP now available for Apple TV customershttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/06/itunes-lp-now-available-for-apple-tv-customers/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/06/itunes-lp-now-available-for-apple-tv-customers/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/06/itunes-lp-now-available-for-apple-tv-customers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A few of us here at TUAW received an email from Apple this morning stating that Apple TV-compatible versions of previous iTunes LP purchases are available for download. You'll remember that LP purchases made before the Apple TV 3.0 release would need a second download to work with the Apple TV. Apple is now offering those downloads.

The email from Apple is very straight-forward:

"With the latest versions of iTunes (9.0.2) and Apple TV software (3.0), you can now use iTunes LP on your Apple TV. We have updated the iTunes LP that was included with [your previous purchase here] so that it can now be viewed on Apple TV in addition to your Mac or PC...."

From there, the message provides a download link. Grab it, sync your Apple TV and you're off. My own is syncing as I type this, so we'll let you know how it looks and behaves later today. In the meantime, enjoy iTunes LP on your Apple TV!

iTunes LP now available for Apple TV customers originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)iTunes LP now available for Apple TV customers originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>apple tvAppleTvitunesitunes lpItunesLpDave CaoloFri, 06 Nov 2009 08:45:00 ESTiTunes TOS update hints at Apple TV 3.0 softwarehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/29/itunes-tos-update-hints-at-apple-tv-3-0-software/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/29/itunes-tos-update-hints-at-apple-tv-3-0-software/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/29/itunes-tos-update-hints-at-apple-tv-3-0-software/#commentsFiled under: ,


A new terms of service agreement has been posted up for iTunes users to approve when purchasing songs, movies or apps -- but a read of the summary reveals that Apple TV 3.0 software is on the way. Thus far, all we know is that the update will include support for iTunes LPs and iTunes Extras. A quick check of my Apple TV reveals no update has been pushed to the devices as of yet.

Many thanks to those who submitted the tip!

iTunes TOS update hints at Apple TV 3.0 software originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)iTunes TOS update hints at Apple TV 3.0 software originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Apple TVAppleTviTunes LPItunesLpMegan LaveyThu, 29 Oct 2009 10:00:00 ESTDoubletwist introduces in-app music store powered by Amazonhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/08/doubletwist-introduces-in-app-music-store/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/08/doubletwist-introduces-in-app-music-store/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/08/doubletwist-introduces-in-app-music-store/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

We posted about Doubletwist earlier this year -- it's a pretty innovative music app (developed in part by Jon Lech Johansen, otherwise known as DVD Jon) that not only plays you play whatever you like, obviously, but even lets you share and send music off to anyone, even other people who don't have the app itself. Now Doubletwist is stepping up even more closely to becoming an iTunes competitor: they've announced a partnership with the Amazon music store to sell music directly from within the app. No TVs or movies -- just music, purchased directly within the app, and then able to be sent out to any devices or social networks as usual.

TechCrunch says the store's simplicity is actually a selling point -- iTunes has ballooned up to do way more than just sell music, and in Doubletwist it's much more straightforward. Here's the other bonus for Mac users: while we originally had to wait for an app release, the music store is currently only available on the Mac version of the software. A PC version is coming soon.

It's doubtful Doubletwist will replace iTunes for many people, given all of the various things iTunes does for a Mac user. But then again, if you are using the Amazon MP3 store with any frequency, Doubletwist is probably worth a look: it's a free download on the website.

Doubletwist introduces in-app music store powered by Amazon originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Doubletwist introduces in-app music store powered by Amazon originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>amazon-music-storedoubletwistmoviessimplicitytechcrunchtvsMike SchrammThu, 08 Oct 2009 10:30:00 ESTMac 101: iTunes artist alertshttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/02/mac-101-itunes-artist-alerts/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/02/mac-101-itunes-artist-alerts/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/02/mac-101-itunes-artist-alerts/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Welcome back to Mac 101, our series of tips for new and novice Mac users.

iTunes gets easier to use with every update. One feature, however, has gotten lost in the changes. Artist Alerts lets you receive email notifications of new releases from your favorite artists, which is great. The trouble is that the link to tag an artist isn't easy to find.

There are two ways receive alert updates from a given artist. First, navigate to that artist's page (for example, here's Paramore's page). On the right hand side, you'll see "Alert Me." Click it, enter your account password and then click "OK."

The other method is from an album page. Here's the page for Paramore's album Brand New Eyes. Scroll down a bit and you'll see "Artist Alerts" under "More Paramore."

To manage your alerts, click your account name in the upper right-hand corner. Once you've entered your password, a new window appears. Scroll down a bit and click "Manage My Alerts." From there you can de-select certain artists or clear the entire list.

Have fun and spend less time checking up on your favorites manually.

Mac 101: iTunes artist alerts originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Mac 101: iTunes artist alerts originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>artist alertsArtistAlertshow toHowToitunesitunes storeItunesStoremac 101Mac101Dave CaoloFri, 02 Oct 2009 15:00:00 ESTEminem, Apple prepare to square off againhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/23/eminem-apple-prepare-to-square-off-again/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/23/eminem-apple-prepare-to-square-off-again/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/23/eminem-apple-prepare-to-square-off-again/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Eminem's publisher, Eight Mile Style LLC, is preparing to go to trial against Apple this week over the rapper's iTunes sales, Reuters reports.

This comes just months after Eminem's production company, FBT Productions, lost its royalties case against Apple.

This is an on-going battle since 2007, when Eminem sued Apple claiming that his music was being sold through iTunes without his consent. Apple claims that the deal, done through Aftermath Entertainment with distributes Eminem's music, is not only legal, but Eminem is making money off of it. Aftermath Entertainment is also being included in the lawsuit.

Reuters says that if the two sides do not reach a deal, the trial will start on Thursday.

Eminem has also previously sued Apple over its use of "Lose Yourself" in an iTunes Store ad that aired in 2003.

[Via Apple Insider]

Eminem, Apple prepare to square off again originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Eminem, Apple prepare to square off again originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>apple legalAppleLegaleminemitunesitunes storeItunesStoreMegan LaveyWed, 23 Sep 2009 16:00:00 ESTWhy iTunes needs to offer an album-based subscription servicehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/14/why-itunes-needs-to-offer-an-album-based-subscription-service/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/14/why-itunes-needs-to-offer-an-album-based-subscription-service/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/14/why-itunes-needs-to-offer-an-album-based-subscription-service/#commentsFiled under: ,

One of the key announcements to come out of Apple's "It's only rock and roll, but I like it" event on September 9th was iTunes LP. As implied in its name, iTunes LP seeks to provide a more rich album experience, something that has taken a backseat given the decline of physical albums.

iTunes LP includes features typically found on physical albums, such as liner notes and photos, as well as exclusive video content. One of the goals of iTunes LP is to resuscitate album sales, which have been struggling in the iTunes age of à la carte individual track sales. While iTunes LP provides a means to resuscitate the album, an album-based subscription service would further this goal even more.

Continue reading Why iTunes needs to offer an album-based subscription service

Why iTunes needs to offer an album-based subscription service originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Why iTunes needs to offer an album-based subscription service originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>a la cartea la carte pricingALaCarteALaCartePricingalbum salesAlbumSalesdeclining album salesDecliningAlbumSalesitunes lpitunes music storeitunes storeItunesLpItunesMusicStoreItunesStoresubscriptionSang TangMon, 14 Sep 2009 08:00:00 ESTiTunes 9 Focus: iTunes LPhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/10/itunes-9-focus-itunes-lp/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/10/itunes-9-focus-itunes-lp/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/10/itunes-9-focus-itunes-lp/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



For me, the most exciting feature of iTunes 9 is iTunes LP. As a kid, I read CD booklets cover to cover, looked at every photo, saw who played what instrument on what track and who wrote the songs. That's an experience I've missed since distribution went digital, but I've accepted it.

A couple of years ago, Apple added digital booklets to to the iTunes Store, and some of them were quite nice. But even the best don't compare to iTunes LP. Today I purchased the deluxe version of "Come Away With Me" by Norah Jones [iTunes link] and spent nearly 20 minutes exploring it, just like the old days.

The album contains a bonus track ("Peace"), but the real fun begins when you double-click the "Deluxe Version" file and you're presented with something that resembles a DVD menu. A simple animation draws Norah's name while the first few measures of "Come Away With Me" are heard. From there, you're set to explore.

This album has seven options: Play album, songs, memorabilia, photos, videos, liner notes and credits. The first two do what you'd expect, accompanied by photos and lyrics. The memorabilia feature surprised me with pictures of backstage passes, the tour calendar and a "quickie rundown" of events from the 45th Grammy Awards (Norah's appearances highlighted).

There are sixteen photos and four videos including -- surprise! -- Norah's appearance on Sesame Street (much to my 4-year-old's delight). Finally, the full liner notes, biography and album credits are included, each with beautiful photos.

Music fans will love this feature, as will fans of participating artists. It's not like holding a record jacket or CD booklet in your hand, but that's an unfair comparison anyway. Paper liner notes don't contain videos, photos of this size or some of the other goodies. iTunes LP is a very welcome treat.

Check out the gallery below for screenshots.

Gallery: iTunes LP

Start pageAlbum creditsNorah's tour calendarPlaying a songLiner notes

iTunes 9 Focus: iTunes LP originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)iTunes 9 Focus: iTunes LP originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>focusitunes 9itunes LPitunes storeItunes9ItunesLpItunesStoreDave CaoloThu, 10 Sep 2009 10:15:00 ESTApple releases video of today's eventhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/09/apple-releases-video-of-todays-event/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/09/apple-releases-video-of-todays-event/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/09/apple-releases-video-of-todays-event/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Update: The video of the keynote announcement is now linked off the front page of Apple.com.

Though the video of today's event is not yet on Apple.com (as of this writing -- though you can find it here), it has been added to Apple's official podcast. Even if you were underwhelmed by today's announcements, you don't want to miss Steve's return or the ovation he received. The video of today's press event is just over one hour and fourteen minutes long.

We'll be diving deep into the new features of iTunes 9 over the next 24 hours, so check back often. Until then, launch the stream and succumb to the Reality Distortion Field.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Apple releases video of today's event originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Apple releases video of today's event originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>apple eventsAppleEventsitunes 9Itunes9podcastseptemper 9Septemper9videoDave CaoloWed, 09 Sep 2009 21:30:00 ESTShopping cart gone in iTunes 9http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/09/shopping-cart-gone-in-itunes-9/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/09/shopping-cart-gone-in-itunes-9/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/09/shopping-cart-gone-in-itunes-9/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Buyer beware: one of the features that has silently disappeared from iTunes 9 is the Shopping Cart, where you used to be able to place songs, albums, videos, and apps for future purchase. It has been replaced with a new feature called "Wish List" that functions similarly to the old shopping cart, storing your potential purchases on iTunes's servers.

What's slightly sneaky about this is there's nothing apparently different from an end-user's perspective at first glance. Clicking "purchase" or "buy now" used to automatically place items in your shopping cart if you had that preference enabled, but now the behavior has been completely altered - now all purchases on the iTunes store are 1-click if you click the "Buy Now" button, and there's no way to cancel them once they start. So whether it's a $1.29 song or a $129 iPhone app, if you click that "Buy Now" button, you're getting charged.

If you want to emulate the old "shopping cart" purchase behavior, you have to instead click the arrow to the right of "Buy Now" and select "Add to Wish List."


Save your wallet! Always click the arrow!

A big thanks to the many readers who sent this tip in.

Update: If you had items in your shopping cart before updating to iTunes 9, they won't have disappeared. All of the items that used to be in your shopping cart in iTunes 8 or older should have migrated to the new Wish List in iTunes 9.

image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/mukluk/ / CC BY 2.0

Shopping cart gone in iTunes 9 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Shopping cart gone in iTunes 9 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>itunesitunes 9itunes storeshopping cartChris RawsonWed, 09 Sep 2009 18:15:00 ESTiTunes 9 revealedhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/09/itunes-9-revealed/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/09/itunes-9-revealed/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/09/itunes-9-revealed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Apple's event is starting up right now, but in the meantime, they've (inadvertently) revealed iTunes 9 via a page over in iTunes. The new version of Apple's software will include quicker and easier navigation options (you can see the new top menu in the pic above), easy-to-access preview buttons, and new ways to experience media purchased in the store. iTunes LPs will let you have the full album experience with lyrics, liner notes, and band photos and videos, and iTunes Extras will allow you to experience DVD-style extras with movies you buy from the iTunes store.

Expect an announcement at the event in a few minutes -- there is a download link on the page, so we'll also expect to have the software up and running by the end of the day. Sounds exciting!

Update: More info coming out of the keynote right now: Genius mixes are a new way to hear Genius picks, mixed by a virtual DJ. Improved playlist syncing options, and a way to arrange your apps from directly within iTunes.

iTunes 9 revealed originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)iTunes 9 revealed originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>9-9-09appleeventitunesitunes-9itunes-extrasitunes-lpnavigationMike SchrammWed, 09 Sep 2009 12:48:00 ESTRumor: Steve Jobs will appear at Sept. 9 eventhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/01/rumor-steve-jobs-will-appear-at-sept-9-event/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/01/rumor-steve-jobs-will-appear-at-sept-9-event/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/01/rumor-steve-jobs-will-appear-at-sept-9-event/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster is having a busy week. First, he predicted that the iPhone will go non-exclusive in the US by next year, and today he's suggesting that Steve Jobs will appear at Apple's September 9th press event.

We fully expect new iPods and iTunes next Wednesday, but Steve would be a surprise. We know that he's returned to work, but this would be his first public appearance as Apple's head since he took medical leave back in January. Depending on how he looks, a visit from Steve could nudge the stock up a notch or two.

It sure would be fun to see Steve, but we hope he's happy and healthy more than anything. In any case, we've got just over a week to wait. Keep your fingers crossed.

[Via AppleInsider]

Rumor: Steve Jobs will appear at Sept. 9 event originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Rumor: Steve Jobs will appear at Sept. 9 event originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>ipodsitunesmedia eventMediaEventrumorsseptember 9September9steve jobsSteveJobsDave CaoloTue, 01 Sep 2009 09:30:00 ESTWhat new goodies await us on the 9th?http://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/31/what-new-goodies-await-us-on-the-9th/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/31/what-new-goodies-await-us-on-the-9th/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/31/what-new-goodies-await-us-on-the-9th/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

So, Apple has confirmed that there will indeed be an event next Wednesday, September 9th. The image on the invitations indicates iPods, or at least "music", will be the focus of the shindig.

Will we see new iPods with cameras? How about iTunes 9 with some whiz-bang new social networking features? And what about that bright yellow underwater elephant in the room?

While the date is almost too tasty to pass up, I can't imagine (pun intended) that The Beatles will even be mentioned during the event. Why? The slogan the iPod silhouette girl is rockin' to is "It's only rock and roll, but I like it." Now, I'm a little younger than the relevant time period, but I've heard that neither The Rolling Stones nor The Fab Four would be thrilled with the mix up.

So, what do you think? What kind of magic are we likely to see next week?

View Poll

What new goodies await us on the 9th? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)What new goodies await us on the 9th? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>ipoditunesmusicpollpress eventPressEventsocial networkingSocialNetworkingKevin HarterMon, 31 Aug 2009 17:00:00 ESTWill the Beatles library finally arrive in iTunes September 9th?http://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/19/will-the-beatles-library-finally-arrive-in-itunes-september-9th/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/19/will-the-beatles-library-finally-arrive-in-itunes-september-9th/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/19/will-the-beatles-library-finally-arrive-in-itunes-september-9th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

As intrepid TUAW reporter Mike Schramm told you a few days ago, Apple has an event planned for September 9, 2009. Pundits are expecting the event to be the usual Apple fall event where the new line of iPods will be announced, but there's something else happening on September 9th that could herald the long-awaited arrival of The Beatles in the iTunes Store.

The Official Beatles Shop website is showing 9/9/09 as the release date for new, digitally remastered versions of the entire Beatles library. That's also the day that The Beatles: Rock Band is released. What better way for Apple to finally bring Apple Corps into the digital age than to give the Fab Four a home in iTunes?

Of course, the Beatles and Apple, Inc. have had a tumultuous legal history, and recently George Harrison's son Dhani Harrison was quoted in Blender as saying he didn't feel that the iTunes Store's per-song charge was a fair price for Beatles songs. He also mentioned that the remaining members of The Beatles were looking into creating their own website for digital downloads. Given the shaky history of most Beatles business ventures, I wouldn't give that comment a second thought.

Just last month, Sir Paul McCartney told the Guardian that in terms of the Beatles library appearing in iTunes, "The last word I got back was it's stalled at the whole moment, the whole process... I really hope it will happen because I think it should."

Frankly, I think the music world and Apple both need a little magic right now, so I'm hoping to see Steve Jobs, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Dhani Harrison, and Julian Lennon on stage together on September 9th. That would be even better than an announcement of a Mac tablet.

Will the Beatles library finally arrive in iTunes September 9th? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Will the Beatles library finally arrive in iTunes September 9th? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>appleapple corpsapple eventAppleCorpsAppleEventbeatlesitunesitunes storeItunesStoreSteven SandeWed, 19 Aug 2009 12:00:00 ESTIncredible: Apple responsible for 25% of US music saleshttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/19/incredible-apple-responsible-for-25-of-us-music-sales/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/19/incredible-apple-responsible-for-25-of-us-music-sales/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/19/incredible-apple-responsible-for-25-of-us-music-sales/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The NPD Group has released amazing numbers this week: Apple is generating one quarter of all US music sales. Equally impressive, but less surprising, is that Apple is also responsible for 69% of all online music sales.

Wal-Mart is #2 for US music sales at 14% (that's a combination of both their online and CD sales) and Best Buy is third. Speaking of CDs, the aging format is still the overall top seller in the US and Wal-Mart is the top CD distributor. However, NPD expects that Apple's sales will equal that of CDs by 2010.

I know it's impossible to say what I'm about to without sounding like a grumpy old man, but here it comes anyway. For me, the tremendous thing isn't that Apple has commandeered the market so handily, it is the rate at which the distribution model has evolved. I'm only 38 years old, but as a kid I had a box of records. By the time I was in junior high school I was buying cassettes and in college I bought CDs.

Today, I can't remember the exact last time I bought music in a format I could physically hold in my hands. I'm glad the big wigs in the music industry are starting to get it. Now if only the TV execs would follow suit.

Incredible: Apple responsible for 25% of US music sales originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Incredible: Apple responsible for 25% of US music sales originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>best buyBestBuyitmsitunesitunes music storeItunesMusicStoremusic salesMusicSalesonline musicOnlineMusicwal-martDave CaoloWed, 19 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST¡Tunes! Mexico iTunes store now open for shoppinghttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/04/tunes-mexico-itunes-store-now-open-for-shopping/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/04/tunes-mexico-itunes-store-now-open-for-shopping/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/04/tunes-mexico-itunes-store-now-open-for-shopping/#commentsFiled under:

My how you've grown, iTunes! Mexico now has its own iTunes store, giving our neighbors to the south the ability to download their favorite music, videos and iPhone/iPod touch apps.

It seems like it was just yesterday that Dr. Dre, Mick Jagger and Bono welcomed you into this world via iChat with Steve Jobs at an April 2003 special event. Now a little over 6 and a half years old, you've grown from what originally was United States-only operation to now include 77 countries.

You've morphed from what music executives privately said was "an experiment, which could be expanded if [proven] successful," to a juggernaut in the music market; at the time of its launch, music executives felt that Apple's small market share provided them less risk. And expanded it did: the iTunes "music store" is now the "iTunes store," with over 8 billion songs purchased and 1.5 billion apps downloaded.

Most songs in the iTunes Store in Mexico are priced at 12 pesos (a little over 90 U.S. cents as of August 4, 2009), and most albums at 120 pesos ($9.15 as of August 4, 2009).

To our friends to the south, mi iTunes store es su iTunes store!

(Note: the app store has been available in Mexico since its launch in July 2008)

¡Tunes! Mexico iTunes store now open for shopping originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)¡Tunes! Mexico iTunes store now open for shopping originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>itunesitunes storeItunesStoremexicoworldSang TangTue, 04 Aug 2009 13:45:00 ESTComplete Yale courses now on iTunes Uhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/17/complete-yale-courses-now-on-itunes-u/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/17/complete-yale-courses-now-on-itunes-u/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/17/complete-yale-courses-now-on-itunes-u/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

What a great opportunity to brush up on controversies in Astrophysics, Game Theory, or France since 1871. Apple and Yale University have partnered to bring complete Yale courses to iTunes U and they are free for the clicking.

Apple was already offering significant quantities of lectures and interviews from Yale, but now complete courses are being offered for free. For now, there are 13 complete courses online, one subject area is composed of about 40-50 separate podcasts. That's a lot of information and precious knowledge.

If learning about the American Novel since 1945, or Biomedical Engineering is your thing, click right on over. There is probably something on the list you'll find interesting, to say nothing of the many great lectures.

The twists and turns of the digital revolution have been breathtaking to watch. From my home, an office, sitting at an airport, or riding along in a car, bus, plane or train I can take my favorite music, movies, or listen to experts relate the latest discoveries about Black Holes of the history of Psychology. What a world.

Complete Yale courses now on iTunes U originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Complete Yale courses now on iTunes U originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>collegeeducationfreeiTunes UYale UniversityMel MartinFri, 17 Jul 2009 13:00:00 ESTTUAW Interview: OpenFeint, continuedhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/25/tuaw-interview-openfeint-continued/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/25/tuaw-interview-openfeint-continued/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/25/tuaw-interview-openfeint-continued/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,



Have you seen anything like that already, where developers have said, well we thought about doing it this way, but we're going another way?

PR: Too early. The phones aren't even out yet, user experience hasn't occurred yet. I would say July, we'll get a lot of feedback once these games come out with push notifications. The other thing that's kind of interesting, by the way, is that OpenFeint is working on cross-compatibility, because if I have a 2.2 iPhone and you have a 3.0 iPhone, and you send me a social challenge, in my app on 2.2, it won't show up as a push notification, right, because I don't have the 3.0 iPhone. So we are support the concept of push notifications in the plumbing and infrastructure of OpenFeint, however on a 2.2 phone, whenever the user next opens the app, they would see a screen that is an OpenFeint screen that would have a notification saying "you've got to beat my score," as opposed to seeing it on the iPhone icon, as a number, like the Mail thing, where it says you have notes waiting for you.

So I think as a user experience, the jury's still out, because the platforms are just getting ready, right? So the key here is to say that we're going to make it trivial by continuing our tradition, which is no servers, very easy to integrate, and some big games will launch in July with push notifications and then we'll go from there.

I think, to a certain extent, the same thing will happen on the microtransactions side. It already has happened with Xbox Live -- I don't know if you remember the story of horse armor, where everyone says "how can you release a different graphic and ask us to pay for it?" Have you seen examples yet of how developers want to use microtransactions? Are they aware of that danger or are they fearful of that at all?

PR: So I think the obvious one, just because I have, as I said, investments in companies in the Facebook app space, the big reason for microtransactions is virtual goods. So any kind of virtual world, avatar apps, some of these Mafia iMob apps, you can assume that there will be virtual goods unlocking with microtransactions. That one I think will translate over fairly well, in fact Net is going next week to China, where he's a keynote speaker at Tencent's annual conference. Tencent is an Asian company which does a billion dollars in microtransactions, all of it virtual goods. So I think that microtransactions, as we see them on social networks today, will come pretty much that way onto the iPhone social network, or the iPhone gaming network.

NJ: I also think that it will actually lead to the pricing, might even drop dramatically, but those who are charging for applications are going to go free, because they're going to earn much more by making it free and leveraging microtransactions.

Yeah, if you're charging $4 for an app and can sell four levels for $1 each, that's the way to go.

NJ: The user starts playing, gets very engaged, and wants to get to the next level and make the purchase, and it's very difficult not to make the purchase if you're engaged and you want to continue the game.

PR: The thing that's a little trickier, I think, is when you have microtransactions that aren't directly virtual goods, because virtual goods don't fit the theme. But are like chapters, or just additional content in the game. Then, I think, the business model is a little trickier, because that's your content update strategy, and to some extent, the iPhone user is used to -- like, if you look at the success of Pocket God, it's a double edged sword. If you talk to the Pocket God guys, their game is one of the few games that stays in the top five constantly. It's just always in the top five. And they use OpenFeint, and they're going to use push notifications, but when we spoke to him about microtransactions, he said, I have to figure that out, because their commitment to their userbase is, every week you're going to get an update with more content. So given that he's already committed that on the current price point, how does he unlock more content with microtransactions? So he was the first to say I definitely want to do push notifications, but I have to think hard about how I could incorporate microtransactions into Pocket God. So I do think there's a little more complexity there, especially when it's not just direct virtual goods. But I think they'll crack it. I think some other people we're talking to are certainly thinking of Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, three microtransactions. And certainly the virtual goods guys are like no questions how they'll do it.

And there are definitely precedents for both, in terms of episodic gaming on other services. Jason maybe you can talk about this, too, as a developer -- I'm really interested in the balance between making sure that what you're selling people is worth it, or something that's not. If you're asking to pay a dollar for a gun that's just a re-skin, people won't go for that. What do you think of that?

JC: I think, as a game designer, what you have to really think about is the motivations for why people will want to purchase this content. Whether it's a re-skin or not is less important than what it will allow you to do in the game. And the reason why I think virtual goods have done so well on social networks is that social pressure is a huge motivator to getting people to do things, and if part of that social pressure results in you engaging and buying virtual content, people are much more likely to do it. I mean, if you just have another gun that allows you to increase your DPS by two points, that's not terribly interesting to anyone but the ultra hardcore gamer, and then they'll probably just be pissed off that they have to pay for it. So that's not really an appropriate way to go about it. As a traditional gamer, buying episodic content or buying level packs, or substantially new gameplay experience, fits with my head, and then virtual goods, I think, have to be motivated through social pressure.

And the last question I have is just about the future of OpenFeint. I have to give it you guys -- there were quite a few, and there still are, services poking around that want to do the kind of stuff that you're doing. And just in terms of size and influence right now, you're kind of the top of the heap. So what's next, are you planning to kind of sit on the heap and just keep things set, or are you still aiming to improve here?

PR: I think that definitely we will continue to innovate and add more services to the platform -- there's no question that it's a platform play, and that we will continue to add features and additional things. I would say two things: one is, we will publish games, always, on top of our own platform technology, that will really kind of push the borders of gameplay design around the OpenFeint platform, to sort of demostrate and lead the way. So in the last announcement, we did hint at a new game coming out this summer based around push notifications and microtransactions, where we want to lead the industry. Because we never think that by being in front today, that we will be always in front. So we want OpenFeint to be the premiere platform, we agree that today, we certainly feel like it's way up there, but we feel like you constantly have to build new product on top of your platform to really make a world class platform. Because otherwise you're just sort of opining and thinking oh, this is good stuff. So we always want to test our own platform, and expect a title this summer based on OS 3.0 and OpenFeint features.

The second thing, which is, I think we're really doing something different around the business model. Ngmoco announced their Plus+ platform this week, and it's really a publishing tool rather than an open platform, and we're pretty proud of the fact that we're sort of the biggest player who is really able to provide an open platform where a developer does not have to make a publishing deal with us in order to get access to the platform. Ngmoco's platform is hey, we have this platform, it's part of our publishing network, and if you want to publish games with us, that's how you get the platform, and obviously you know the economics of the publishing business in the game industry, right? There's revenue that has to be sacrificed there. So I think as a guiding strategy, we will never make our platform related to anything with our publishing because it's our belief that this OpenFeint thing does two things that we will always have to provide for publishers: no servers, because 90% of developers have no experience building servers, they build great console games, client side stuff, C, C++ programming, all this stuff, but they really don't have any backend experience. And two, we're not going to take rev share, in terms of publishing deals. And those two things, I think, are sort of our long-term guides. The third thing is to build our own games constantly, so we can use Danielle and Jason's game design and knowledge to say here's the kind of games we can do. So if we can do that and execute, I think, with some fingers crossed, with some luck, we'll emerge as the de facto standard, which is our goal.

I had talked to Danielle a little about pricing already, but I wanted to ask about microtransactions as well -- when you do that stuff, are you not skimming off revenue as it comes through, or what is the pricing scheme there?

PR: Well even today, we have cross promotion inside OpenFeint 2, even before microtransactions, where if two players meet in a lobby, and they're from different games, then one player clicks on the other player's game, and you go to the App Store and you buy that other player's game? That's what you call our one-touch iPromote product inside of OpenFeint, it's a big draw for a lot of developers, because our community is now three million and growing -- we call it our social bazaar, because the App Store is so cluttered now that it's hard to differentiate. So you use OpenFeint and get your game in front of three million people in these lobbies. That revenue, when someone buys a game using OpenFeint's cross promotion feature, doesn't come from the developer, it comes from Apple. Because we are an Apple affiliate, through BigShare. So we take the user into a webview, which is our own catalog, where you can buy games off the App Store, and then Apple actually pays us. So that's hopefully -- this is the same thing, the whole idea is to get Apple to pay us every time there's a purchase in the App Store, including in-app purchases, as opposed to the outside.

Great. That's pretty much everything I had to ask, was there anything else you wanted to share? I guess we'll keep an eye on the game coming out this summer.

JC: Yeah, I guess the only other thing worth mentioning is that OpenFeint is available now -- it can be downloaded by anyone from our website. It's real.

Cool. Thanks very much.

TUAW Interview: OpenFeint, continued originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)TUAW Interview: OpenFeint, continued originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app-storeaurora-feintgaminginterviewiphoneiphone-3.0jason-citronnet-jacobsenopenfeintpeter-relanphonesdksoftwaretuawMike SchrammThu, 25 Jun 2009 12:30:00 ESTOS 3.0 compatible apps already trickling inhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/15/os-3-0-compatible-apps-already-trickling-in/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/15/os-3-0-compatible-apps-already-trickling-in/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/15/os-3-0-compatible-apps-already-trickling-in/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Some of our readers have informed us that Tap Tap Revenge (iTunes store link) has been updated to version 2.6, boasting compatiblity with iPhone OS 3.0. This is most likely merely the first of many apps that will see updates in the coming weeks, but it's interesting that Tapulous has unleashed this update so far in advance of OS 3.0's release.

If you are running OS 3.0, upon launching the new version of Tap Tap it will ask you for permission to send push notifications to your device. If you allow them, a new category called Notifications will appear in your device's main settings, which will allow you to toggle push notifications on or off. Additionally, it appears that each app will have individual settings for badges and alerts.


It's not likely that Tapulous will be sending any push notifications just yet, as Apple has yet to throw the novelty-sized Frankenstein knife switch to activate push services. It's also unclear at this point what type of push services Tap Tap Revenge may offer after that switch is thrown. It is an interesting preview of things to come, however.

OS 3.0 compatible apps already trickling in originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)OS 3.0 compatible apps already trickling in originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app storegamesiPhoneiPod touchOS 3.0Chris RawsonMon, 15 Jun 2009 12:00:00 ESTFuture iTunes versions could block the Pre, but why?http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/30/future-itunes-versions-could-block-the-pre-but-why/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/30/future-itunes-versions-could-block-the-pre-but-why/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/30/future-itunes-versions-could-block-the-pre-but-why/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Yesterday, Megan noted a Fortune story saying that iTunes syncs flawlessly with the new Palm Pre. This, of course, got the water-cooler talk bubbling: "How did Palm pull it off? Will Apple allow this to happen?"

Turns out they already have. A tech note on Apple's website notes the two dozen or so third-party players that iTunes (for Mac OS X, at least) is compatible with, including Rio and Creative Labs Nomad MP3 players. True, many of the models listed predate the iPod, and the tech note itself was last updated a little less than a year ago. But third-party device compatibility with iTunes isn't without precedent.

Daring Fireball's John Gruber pointed to a story by Jon Lech Johansen that says Apple may block iTunes access to the Pre in a future update; Gruber himself said he "wouldn't be surprised if they did." I'm not so sure.

First, let's look at how it works. According to Johansen, a unique USB device ID allows iTunes to recognize MP3 players (including iPods) that it's compatible with. Johansen speculates that Palm is using one of these IDs when communicating with iTunes. If it's an iPod's unique ID, then it will work with iTunes for Windows, too; this is an important litmus test and we don't know the results yet.

I can understand Apple might not cotton to a Palm Pre specifically masquerading as an iPod USB device. Given that, allowing the Pre to freely communicate with iTunes isn't necessarily bad business sense, presuming Palm implements the functionality in a forthright manner (like other third-party MP3 players that iTunes already supports).

Why limit access to the Pre, aside from pure spite? If someone already uses iTunes, chances are they have some quantity of DRM-free iTunes Plus music on their computer. There's no technical reason why the music shouldn't be easily playable on the Pre. One of the upshots of removing DRM in the iTunes store is to facilitate device interoperability. Allow non-Apple devices to play iTunes music, and suddenly Apple has customers it didn't have before.

If Apple chooses to cut off just the Pre, and Palm is following the rules, Apple is unnecessarily cutting a stream of revenue. That's something I don't see Apple doing lightly.

Future iTunes versions could block the Pre, but why? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 30 May 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Future iTunes versions could block the Pre, but why? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 30 May 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>daringfireballdevicefortuneiphoneitunespalm prePalmPrepreusbRobert PalmerSat, 30 May 2009 15:30:00 ESTThe evidence for an Apple game consolehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/08/the-evidence-for-an-apple-game-console/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/08/the-evidence-for-an-apple-game-console/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/08/the-evidence-for-an-apple-game-console/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

I think the whole "Apple buying Twitter" rumor floating around is about as much of a crock as the "Apple buying EA" one. But I give slightly more credence to this conclusion: that, despite the painful experience of Pippin, Apple is once again putting together a game console. Why? Let the evidence from BNET convince you.

First, Apple is picking up game execs and console chip makers left and right. Second is a whole slew of recent patents, for everything from mixing up media and game environments to management of games acquired from a media server. And third, though BNET doesn't actually connect the dots and say it, we will: Apple is sitting on what might be the best library of independent games anywhere, and it's sitting right in front of us in iTunes' App Store.

For years, console makers have depended on the mercy of publishers to keep their hardware going -- they sell the hardware at a loss, and then rely on the software sales and licensing to make it all back up again. But think of what Apple could do here: improve the AppleTV or Mac Mini, throw in some kind of Wii-like interface, and then break the whole thing open in the same way they did with the App Store: let developers in with a really low cost of entry, give them the tools they need to create solid games, and just take a nice cut from all of the tiny transactions flowing back and forth.

BNET claims that the iPhone's interface wouldn't work on a larger console, but why not? All Apple has to do is figure out a way to translate the iPhone's gestures and taps into a console system, and then they can practically run the games natively. Sure, the resolution would be a little low with a straight port, but that's a small problem to fix. Apple already has the makings of a game console with the iPod touch, and while the rumors may still just be rumors, there's never been a better time for them to leverage what they've already got.

The evidence for an Apple game console originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 08 May 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)The evidence for an Apple game console originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 08 May 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app-storeappleconsolecrazy-like-a-foxeagame-consolegamesgaminginterfacemike-is-crazyportingrumorsspeculationtwitterwiiMike SchrammFri, 08 May 2009 11:10:00 EST