The rumor regarding a cloud-based streaming service from Apple just refuses to die, with BusinessWeek claiming that Apple could be previewing the service in June at WWDC, after they've signed deals with three of the four big music labels.
Come on, we all do it. A new iTunes update comes trickling into our computer and we're prompted with the comically massive iTunes Terms and Conditions and just clickity click our lives away without even reading. But what's really inside it?
According to Reuters sources, Apple has finished its online music storage service and is getting ready to launch it. Apple's plan is to allow iTunes users to put their songs on the cloud and then stream them to their phone. Looks like the seeds of Apple's cloud are beginning to take shape.
Would Apple see more sign-ups to MobileMe if it were free? Undoubtedly, but lowering it from $99/year to $20 will still be advantageous for them. That's if these latest rumors are correct. The cloud-based "back-up" service we last heard about has been mentioned again, and is beginning to sound very likely.
Isn't it irritating how you have to sync a song you've already downloaded on one device to the various other Apple devices you own? Wouldn't it be easier to be able to download the same song, for free, using iTunes? According to Bloomberg, Apple's working on cloud-based download back-ups, with a decision to be reached…
The word on the street is that Apple's giving out early gifts this holiday season, emailing free iTunes movie rental codes to random iTunes users. I haven't received one—but have you? Let us know in the comments below! [9to5Mac]
It's official: The Beatles are now finally on iTunes. Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, and George Harrison's families have agreed to sell The Beatles' back catalog on the music service after years of wrangling with Apple.
We've heard rumors of longer iTunes song previews, but it looks like Apple is finally preparing to begin offering them. Soon you'll be able to enjoy a whoppin' 90 second preview of any song over 2.5 minutes in length.
When Apple asks to buy your farm, there's your chance to apply the "big corporation tax." The Fulbright family asked for $1.7m when Apple fancied their acre of land adjacent to their iTunes data center in North Carolina.
Apple's music event was so full of shiny gadgets and awesome news that your head might still be spinning. In case you struggled to keep up with everything or want a review, here are all the highlights:
As expected, iTunes 10 has added to the TV show purchase model and is introducing rentals. It'll cost you a buck for an HD episode, and $5 to watch first-run movies in HD. Crucially, those movies will be available on the same day as their DVD counterparts. You'll have 30 days after you rented to watch, and 48 hours…
Apple's given the shuffle back its buttons, despite the smallest form factor yet. Even more impressive: it's got 15 hours of battery life, 2GB storage, and a price tag of $50. And I have to admit, it's kind of adorable.
Looks like iTunes 9.2.1 is available for download now. Nothing terribly exciting to be found in the update though, just a lot of bug fixes:
This is a great idea, but it's kind of been done before, Apple. Already ticket retailers are issuing QR barcodes via SMS, to be scanned when entering gigs—though Apple does show nifty iTunes integration in its patent.
The iTunes Store is close to hitting 10 billion song downloads and to celebrate Apple is giving a lucky boy or gal a $10,000 iTunes Gift Card. Of course, no purchase is necessary to be entered into the drawing.
With the iTunes 8.1 update, you can now sync with the new iPod shuffle, take iTunes DJ requests from friends, rip CDs at iTunes Plus quality and use Genius with movies and TV shows. There are other features, like bugfixes and stability updates, but you can read up on that yourself. [Apple via MacRumors]
iTunes fans have more reason to spend money now that Apple's rolled out their new "Complete My Album" feature. The new feature gives you a full 99-cent credit for every track you've previously purchased from a specific album, so if you're gonna buy an album and you've already bought two songs off that album before,…
Paul Collins has a great piece detailing the restrictions blocking users from buying tracks on iTunes across national lines. For instance, if you switch your country setting to Japan looking to score some Japan X or Gackt tracks, your US credit card tags you as "illegal," barring your entry into international digital…
