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Macworld: iTunes Music Store - some facts

  • 30 million songs have been purchased and downloaded since the introduction of iTunes for Mac and for Windows platforms.

  • iTMS hopes to have 100 million songs downloaded a year by April 2004.

  • iTunes Music Stores has 70% of legal downloads.

  • Almost 2 million songs a week being sold.

  • Top spender in iTunes Music Store spent $29,500!

    Audio Books -

  • 5,000 books available for download. 20,000 hours of spoken content.

  • iTMS has sold 50,000 audio books in first quarter.

    New features

  • Billboard Charts will be available from iTMS - Top Hot 100 from 1946 - 2003

  • 12,000 Classical tracks

  • 500,000 songs are available for download today!

    14 comments.

    • MacMinute: Billboard Charts, iTunes Top 100 of 2003 now on iTMS

    “Apple’s iTunes Music Store (iTMS) has added a new option that lets you browse music by yearly Billboard Hot 100 Charts (1946-2003). Apple has also added the iTunes Top 100 Albums of 2003 to the store. The top 10 for 2003 were: “On and On” by Jack Johnson, “Sacred Love” by Sting, “Life for Rent” by Dido, “Bare” by Annie Lennox, “Room On Fire” by The Strokes, “Everything to Everyone” by the Barenaked Ladies, “Afterglow” by Sarah MacLachlan, “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” by OutKast, “In the Zone” by Britney Spears, and “Verve Remixed 2” by various artists.”

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    iTunes DRM Cracked, Again

    “Norwegian programmer Jon Lech Johansen, who broke the DVD encryption scheme, has opened iTunes locked music a tad further, by allowing people to play songs they’ve purchased on iTunes Music Store on their GNU/Linux computers.

    “We’re about to find out what Apple really thinks about Fair Use,” Johansen told The Register via email.”

    1 comment.

    Macworld: XtremeMac Xtremity iPod Accessory System now shipping

    The Xtremity system features the Xtremity iPod Case, Xtremity ClearShield - removable, optically- clear Lexan flex-cover, Xtremity Low-profile Dash-Mount, Xtremity Swivel Belt-clip, dock connector dust plug and adhesive adjustment pad - used with thinner iPods. “The foundation of the Xtremity system is the Xtremity iPod Case, designed to be a natural extension of the iPod. It forms the basis for seamless integration with a number of add on accessories such as battery packs, FM transmitters, Bluetooth Wireless Transmitters, belt- clips, dash mounts and more. All of the add-ons simply slide in place on the back of the Xtremity case and “disappear” behind the iPod, maintaining its elegant design.” The Xtremity system package includes Xtremity Case with Removable Flip Cover, Xtremity Dash Mount and Xtremity Belt Clip for $29.95.

    14 comments.

    Macworld: XtremeMac Demonstrates iPod with Bluetooth streaming audio

    “XtremeMac will be demonstrating high-fidelity, stereo, wireless audio streaming from an audio source such as the iPod to a device at line-of-sight distances in excess of 300 feet. The core technology, developed by XtremeMac’s technology partner, Infinite Range Technologies, is based upon Class 1, Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) Bluetooth standards.”

    Additional details and 4 comments.

    Macworld: XtremeMac Announces SportWrap for iPod Armband

    picXtremeMac has announced a new case for the active iPod user. The SportWrap is an adjustable, neoprene arm band featuring the SportWrap case to hold the iPod, earphone holder and includes an extension for larger arms. The complete package sells at a suggested retail price of $29.95 U.S., and will debut at XtremeMac’s Macworld Expo Booth #2137 in San Francisco’s Moscone Center, January 6th through 10th, 2004, and will be available from our website, in Apple retail stores, at The Apple Store online and through their network of national and international resellers and distributors following Macworld.

    Additional details and 8 comments.

    MacMinute: WSJ: Apple to introduce cheaper iPod

    • January 5, 2004
    • iPod
    “The Wall Street Journal (paid subscription required) is reporting that Apple will introduce a new, low-cost iPod later today. However, the price the publication expects—US$200—is “more than the $100 figure that has circulated on Apple rumor Web sites in recent weeks,” but “it’s still a sharp enough markdown that Apple hopes will attract a much larger audience of music and gadget lovers.” A $200 iPod would likely offer profit margins in the “single-digits or low double-digits” compared with profit margins ranging from 20 percent to 45 percent for its higher-end models, says Charlie Wolf, an analyst at brokerage firm Needham & Co.”

    4 comments.

    Macworld: Griffin iTalk Voice Recorder coming in April

    Griffin Technology has posted details about its upcoming iTalk Voice Recorder for iPod. The iTalk mounts to iPod via the headphone port and can record seminars, meetings, classes, notes in your car, songs, etc. - up to 100 feet away. “Its built in microphone was designed to record crystal clear audio and iTalk’s Automatic Gain Control assures you have the best possible signal level recorded. You can even connect an external microphone directly to iTalk for even more recording options. iTalk includes a pass-through headphone jack that allows you to monitor your voice recording, or simply listen to your music without having to remove iTalk again. You can also download your recordings to your computer to play back, but iTalk’s speaker is so good you may not have to.” Griffin is expecting to ship the iTalk in April 2004 for $34.99.

    Additional details and 24 comments.

    Macworld: Belkin Announces TuneCast II FM Transmitter

    The TuneCast II FM transmitter features FM frequencies 88.1-107.9MHz and Auto ON/OFF. It also memorizes up to four FM frequencies to give you easy and quick access to your favorite songs. The TuneCast II comes in two models: a white version and a gray version. The gray version, TuneCast� II Mobile Transmitter (F8V3080; ESP $49.99) , ships with a Belkin Mobile Power Cord that connects to your car’s cigarette lighter to provide extended power while on the road. The white version,TuneCast� II Mobile Transmitter (F8V3080-APL; ESP $39.99), includes only a DC cable for optional battery-free operation. The DC cable plugs into the DC jack on the Mobile Power Cord (F8V7067-APL; ESP $19.99 ) for iPods with Dock Connector.

    13 comments.

    RadTech Announces PodSleevz

    • January 5, 2004
    “The PodSleevz is the ultimate, full-coverage protective sleeve case for 3G iPods..  Based on RadTech’s popular PowerSleevz notebook sleeves, the PodSleevz formfitting case adds almost no bulk to Apple’s svelte iPod, and is the first case to fully envelope the iPod while allowing operation of the devices touch control buttons right through the case!  The PodSleevz features control zones debossed into its 0.8mm thick Optex face which provides perfect control sensitivity. Weighing a feathery 4 grams, PodSleevz utilize a supple, double polished Vinyl window for iPod display protection, as well as a die cut knock-out for docking port cable access.  The PodSleevz allow full use of Apple’s included clip case, as well as most third party iPod accessories; Griffin iTrip, Belkin Voice Recorder, Altec Lansing’s inMotion, etc. RadTech will have plenty of product on hand at MacWorld Expo, South hall booth #2618. RadTech products will also be available at the Think Different Store’s South hall booth, #2634, and Developer Depot, North hall booth #3851.”

    9 comments.

    Mini iPods to use new Cornice 2GB hard drive?

    MacMinute reports - “Cornice, a company specializing in compact, high capacity storage, today introduced (PDF) the 2GB Cornice Storage Element, a tiny hard drive for use in consumer electronics, portable devices, and possibly the rumored Mini iPods. The company previously offered a 1.5GB drive. ‘The 2GB Storage Element will allow electronics device manufacturers to build new pocket-able products that store more music, video, and pictures, as well as more office productivity files such as presentations and word processing documents.’ The 2GB Storage Element is available to manufacturers for US$70 per unit in quantities of 100,000 per year.”

    24 comments.

    iPod ads “do a terrific job of seducing and selling”

    • January 5, 2004
    • iPod

    “That fact was borne out in the results of Ad Track, USA TODAY’s weekly consumer survey. While iPod has a somewhat narrower potential audience than many products, 19% of consumers familiar with the ads like them “a lot,” about the Ad Track overall average of 21%. And 20% consider the ads “very effective” vs. the average of 21%.

    The ads’ appeal ranged across age groups. Though they were most popular with 25- to 29-year olds (29% like the ads “a lot”), 19% of consumers ages 50 to 64 gave them the top mark. Just 2% of those over 65 like the ads “a lot,” however.”

    5 comments.

    AppleMatters: Next To The iPod Everything Else Is Ugly

    • January 5, 2004
    • iPod
    “There are other products out there that do what the iPod does and for less. Check out the specs on the iRiver iHP-120. It has a similar shape to the iPod but comes with a built in FM radio, 16 hour battery, can play way more formats than the iPod (MP3, WMA, ASF, WAV, and OGG), has optical input and output for recording music directly to it and a built in voice recorder!”

    14 comments.

    iTunes Music Store coming to Japan

    • January 5, 2004

    “Apple Japan Inc. is planning to launch a localized version of the iTunes Music Store in Japan the coming months.

    Officially the company has not announced when or if it plans to launch the service, but staff at its newly opened retail store in the Ginza shopping district in Tokyo have been telling customers the company is currently planning to launch the service ‘in the spring.’”

    7 comments.

    iSportCase iPod case for $20

    Dealmac: Monster’s new iSportCase costs $19.95 plus $4 shipping at The Apple Store. (To find it, search for “iSportCase”.) It’s the lowest total price we’ve seen. This slim, open-face iPod case works like a cell phone belt clip to carry your iPod on your belt or the included self-adhesive car mount. There are two versions, for 10/15/20GB iPods and for 40GB iPods.

    2 comments.

    Macworld: Matias Announces New iPod Armor Case

    “With looks to match Apple’s latest iPods, Matias today announced its newest iPod Armor aluminum hard case.� The new model has docking port access, and is compatible with every iPod Apple has shipped to date. “iPod Armor continues to offer the best protection available for your iPod,” said Vesna Vojnic, Marketing Manager for Matias. ‘We’ve had customers drop them onto concrete, fall down stairs, and their iPod has escaped unharmed.’ The new iPod Armor case comes bundled with a high-quality Armor Clip belt clip, and retails for $49.95.”

    8 comments.

    CNET: Music downloads decline after RIAA lawsuits

    “The music industry’s controversial lawsuits against online song swappers appear to have forced U.S. computer users to severely curb their free music downloading habit, according to new research released.

    The percentage of Americans who downloaded music from the Internet fell to 14 percent over the four weeks ended December 14, from 29 percent in a 30-day sample conducted in March, April and May, according to a telephone survey of 1,358 Internet users conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project.”

    10 comments.

    Apple to webcast Macworld Keynote

    Apple will be webcasting a live QuickTime stream of the Macworld 2004 Keynote on Tuesday, January 6 at 9 am Pacific time/12 pm Eastern time. Apple CEO Steve Jobs is expected to announce new products for 2004. Will he announce low cost, mini iPods? iLounge will be reporting the event live as it happens via the iLounge IRC channel with guest reporter Trent Lapinski of Apple-X.net. As usual, any iPod related news coming out of Macworld will be posted under iPod News as well.

    2 comments.

    Podboard iPod Stand Announced

    pic

    “‘Podboard’ is a stainless steel iPod stand made in Switzerland.  It supports all iPod versions, lets owners create their own skin (i.e.  with calendar, ruler, phone numbers) and share it with others. Price is 44 Swiss Francs (currently about 36 US Dollars). Pre-orders accepted now, shipping starts January 20, 2004.”

    12 comments.

    Lajo announces $10 coupon

    • January 4, 2004
    “Every customer that bought an exo or exo2 (over 60,000 exo and exo2 sold) can get a $10 coupon for a free SWVclip, one of the four new #### belt clips for exo and exo2.  The process is rather painless, go to www.####.biz/#### and click on the #### signature in the banner ad (top of the page), click info and read the instructions.  The $10 coupon has no expiry date. This offer is available to any exo and exo2 customer regardless of whether you bought your exo2 from the ####.biz site or not. Customers that bought from the ####.biz site will get a separate email to inform them of the offer. The offer will expire on Monday, January 12th, midnight, Central Time.”

    13 comments.

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