News
NYT: What Albums Join Together, Everyone Tears Asunder
- July 19, 2003
- iTunes
“The pop album made its way through the 20th century by staying adaptable, transforming itself from analog grooves to digital bits. But can the notion of an album — a collection of songs sold as a single unit, to be heard in a certain sequence — survive the Internet?
That question has been raised more insistently since Apple Computers started its iTunes store, where songs can be downloaded for 99 cents and complete albums for $9.99. Apple recently announced that 6.5 million songs have been downloaded since the store opened on April 28, fewer than half of them as part of albums. Its competition, Buy.com’s buymusic.com, is expected to announce its opening on Tuesday, selling downloads for the much more widely used Windows operating system.”
CNET: RIAA warns individual swappers
- July 19, 2003
- Digital Media
“The Recording Industry Association of America said it has sent cease-and-desist letters to five people whom it suspects of illegally offering massive amounts of copyrighted music through peer-to-peer networks.
The RIAA learned of the swappers’ identities after a protracted legal battle with Verizon Communications, which unsuccessfully fought attempts to unmask its subscribers, citing concerns about privacy and legal liability.”
CNN: Music industry wins approval of 871 subpoenas
- July 19, 2003
- Digital Media
“The music industry has won at least 871 federal subpoenas against computer users suspected of illegally sharing music files on the Internet, with roughly 75 new subpoenas being approved each day, U.S. court officials said Friday.
The effort represents early steps in the music industry’s contentious plan to file civil lawsuits aimed at crippling online piracy.”
Wired: Upload a File, Go to Prison
- July 18, 2003
- Digital Media
“A new bill was proposed Wednesday that would send a person to jail for five years and fine them for $250,000 for uploading just one file to a peer-to-peer network.
The bill was introduced by representatives John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) and Howard Berman (D-Calif.).
The bill, called the Author, Consumer and Computer Owner Protection and Security Act of 2003 would allocate more money to the justice department to investigate copyright crimes and would also enable information sharing between countries to help in copyright enforcement abroad.
The bill states that uploading a single file of copyright content qualifies as a felony.”
“PMPE” movie features iPod
- July 18, 2003
- Humor
Another short film featuring the use of iPod to help set the ‘mood’ of the movie has a private eye searching for a woman’s missing man. Titled “PMPE” (Phillip Merlow, Private Eye), this movie is another in a string of movies produced for an iMovie contest for interns at Apple. According to a recent comment on the “iPod Love” news item, those within Apple are encouraged to vote for the movies presented by interns to determine the winner(s).
Macworld UK: iTunes ‘will become Net-songs king’
- July 18, 2003
- iTunes
“Apple’s iTunes Music Store could capture 20 per cent of the US paid-music download market, claims Needham’s analyst Charles Wolf in a report this week.
Wolf believes Apple could generate annual revenues of $600 million through its store, and that this figure could increase. He describes the Store as ‘providing an arguably superior customer experience.’”
Apple posts ‘Pods Unite’ video
- July 18, 2003
- iPod
Apple has posted a new web page featuring the new VW Beetle/iPod promotion, “Pods Unite” along with the television ad showcasing the new duo. The iPod deal will only last through the summer so Apple says, “get in touch with your Volkswagen dealer pronto.”
iPod 10GB for $299 + $50 Amazon.com credit
- July 18, 2003
- Deals
Delamac: The second-generation iPod 10GB costs $299 (list price) with free shipping and a $50 credit towards a future purchase at Amazon.com. That compares favorably to the last deal we mention, $269 shipped (since expired). Offer ends July 27, 2003.
iPod Love
- July 18, 2003
- Humor
A person named Devon has posted a movie dedicated to the new ‘love’ in his life. You won’t believe this one until you see it.
“American iPod” Cartoon
- July 17, 2003
- Humor
William “Macboy” Levin, creator of numerous online cartoons has posted a new animation titled “American iPod” featuring a singing/dancing Steve Jobs with iPod.
iPod Software 1.3 for Windows to be released
- July 17, 2003
- Windows Software
Update: Apple has since removed the ‘Windows’ button from the download page. We hope Apple posts the link soon and quick’s teasing our Windows iPod users.
It would seem that Apple is getting ready to post the long awaited iPod Software 1.3 for Windows. A ‘Windows’ button has appeared on the official iPod Software 1.3 download page, but is not yet active.
Apple Updates iPod FAQs
- July 17, 2003
- iPod
Apple has posted an updated version of its Knowledge Base document titled, “iPod: Frequently Asked Questions.” It’s definitely a must read for any iPod user.
Buyer Beware: iPod auctions on eBay
- July 17, 2003
- iPod
Brigid Alverson of the Melrose Free Press has written an article about John Cameron, a computer crimes detective in Melrose, Virginia who’s done everything from impersonating a 14-year-old girl online, capturing computer con artists, and stopping credit card fraud.
There is also an active thread in the forums about eBay auctions gone bad.
iPod 30GB for $399 shipped
- July 17, 2003
- Deals
Delamac: Several readers note that Dell Home offers Apple’s iPod 30GB for $449.10 in its Software and Peripherals store. Apply coupon code “479FC56ACC2E” to knock $50 off, yielding a net price of $399.10. That’s $5 off our last mention and nearly $80 less than what most other merchants charge. Shipping is free. Offer ends today.
NYTimes: Can an MP3 Glutton Savor a Tune?
- July 16, 2003
- Digital Media
Rogier Van Bakel writes an interesting article about the consumption of music, be it MP3 or CDs.
Apple: Profits rise from sales of music and 3G iPods
- July 16, 2003
- Apple
Apple today posted a net profit of $19 million and revenues for the third quarter were $1.545 billion in its financial results for fiscal 2003.
Booq releases PodPaq case for 3G iPods
- July 16, 2003
- iPod Accessories
Booq has released a new iPod case called PodPaq. Made of ballistic nylon and trimmed in nappa leather, the PodPaq features a snap closure flap lined in Neoprene and sides made of Neoprene. It’s only made for 15 and 30GB iPods. The case also has a quick release belt clip and access to all of iPod’s functions. PodPaq retails for $39.50, is in-stock and will ship July 22nd.
XtremeMac iPod accessory clearance
- July 16, 2003
- Deals
Dealmac: The XtremeMac Inventory Clearance Blowout discounts several iPod products. The Premium iPod Car Charger costs $7.95, $12 off. The HipTunes Bundle (case, belt clip, earbud pouch) costs $15.95, $24 off. The Xtra Case & Earbud Pouch costs $9.95, $25 off. All are intended for first-generation iPods. In related news, XtremeMac recently cut its price on its U.F.O., a USB/FireWire organizer for flat-panel iMacs, to $99.95, $30 less than our last mention.
Griffin Announces RadioSHARK and iFire
- July 15, 2003
- iPod Accessories
Update: Griffin has informed us that they plan to incorporate a one-click ‘transfer to iPod’ button in the software which controls the RadioSHARK.
Want to record your favorite radio show and take it with you on your iPod? Griffin Technology has developed the RadioSHARK AM-FM radio for OS X that can record AM, FM or Internet radio to your hard disk in AIFF format. You can then transfer the AIFF file to your iPod for listening on-the-go. The RadioSHARK features similar technology used in TiVo known as ‘time-shift’ recording which allows you to “pause a live broadcast and then return to it moments, or even hours later and continue from where you left off. You can also schedule a recording to happen while you’re away and then listen to the show at a later time.” The RadioSHARK is available for pre-ordering for $49.99 and is expected to ship at end of summer 2003.
Also announced is the iFire Amplifier and Adaptor which allows any computer with FireWire to use Apple’s Pro Speakers, including iPod. The iFire is also available for preorder for $39.99 and is expected to ship end of summer. You can see both products first-hand at booth number #240 at Macworld NY.
BusinessWeek: The Chili Peppers’ Sour Grapes Over iTunes
- July 15, 2003
- Digital Media
“These guys call themselves rock musicians? Where, I ask you, is their sense of storming the Establishment ramparts, of thumbing their noses at authority? Instead, by refusing to let Apple (AAPL ) sell their music online at the new iTunes Music Store, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are leading a vanguard in the wrong direction. They might as well put their clothes back on.
In truth, opposition makes little sense. Even some execs from the biggest labels have signed on to iTunes. Says Universal Music Group CEO Doug Morris, one of the album format’s inventors: ‘iTunes is pushing us into the future of how music is produced and consumed.’”