About this Author
Sandy McMurray is a long-time technology journalist whose work has appeared in Time, the Globe & Mail, the Toronto Sun, Report on Business, Profit, and other sources. Between 1995 - 2002, Sandy wrote a weekly column about technology for the Toronto Sun, and served as Technology Editor for five Sun Media newspapers. He has been publishing on the Web since 1996.
Contact: readme@mac.com
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Category Archives
December 07, 2005
Posted by Sandy
 NBC President Jeff Zucker says more NBC shows will soon be available via iTunes.
The NBC deal expands Apple's TV offering to 300 episodes of 16 different series and Zucker said that number will expand quickly as NBC Uni fills the iTunes pipe with new shows.
"You are going to see a series of announcements in the coming weeks," he said. Variety says NBC was motivated by the growth of illegal downloads -- the network estimates that there are 430,000 illegal downloads of Battlestar Galactica each week.
Read the whole Variety story here.
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Posted by Sandy
 NBC President Jeff Zucker says more NBC shows will soon be available via iTunes.
The NBC deal expands Apple's TV offering to 300 episodes of 16 different series and Zucker said that number will expand quickly as NBC Uni fills the iTunes pipe with new shows.
"You are going to see a series of announcements in the coming weeks," he said. Variety says NBC was motivated by the growth of illegal downloads -- the network estimates that there are 430,000 illegal downloads of "Battlestar Galactica" each week.
Read the whole Variety story here.
Update: As you can see in this new TV commercial, NBC plans to add SNL sketches and "the best of Bravo" to its iTunes lineup.
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+ TrackBacks (0) | Category: Headlines | Music
December 06, 2005
Posted by Sandy
Episodes from eleven TV shows owned by NBC, Sci-Fi and USA Network are now available for $1.99 on iTunes Music Store. NBC Universal and Apple today announced an unprecedented lineup of new primetime, cable, late-night and classic TV shows, including primetime hits such as “Law & Order” and late-night favorites such as sketches from “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on the iTunes Music Store (www.itunes.com). iTunes now offers more than 300 episodes of 16 popular TV shows for viewing on a computer or iPod. Customers have purchased and downloaded more than three million videos since their debut on October 12, making the iTunes Music Store the world’s most popular video download store.
NBC Universal programming now available on the iTunes Music Store spans from the 1950s to the present, including NBC’s “Law & Order,” “The Office,” “Surface,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Late Night with Conan O'Brien,” the USA Network’s Emmy Award-winning “Monk” and Sci-Fi Channel’s “Battlestar Galactica” as well as classic TV shows including “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” “Dragnet,” “Adam-12” and “Knight Rider,” on the iTunes Music Store beginning today. Customers can purchase and download their favorite shows, including current shows the day after they air on TV, and watch them on their computer or iPod. The NBC Universal programs will be available in newly designated areas of the iTunes Music Store featuring the NBC Universal brands, including the NBC network, Sci-Fi Channel and the USA Network.
“We’re thrilled to expand the iTunes video catalog with 11 popular TV shows from NBC, USA Network and the Sci-Fi Channel,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “In our first two months we’ve sold more than three million videos, and have expanded our TV catalog from five shows to 16 shows.” Like the deal with Disney/ABC, this distribution deal is U.S. only for now.
You can bet the phones are ringing at CBS and Fox today. And Paramount. And Sony. And...
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December 01, 2005
Posted by Sandy
After accepting the plea and a previously arranged deal with prosecutors on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton ordered Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and its U.S. subsidiary, Samsung Semiconductor Inc., to pay $300-million (U.S.) — the second-largest fine in a criminal antitrust case in the United States...
Earlier this year, Seoul-based Hynix Semiconductor Inc. agreed to pay a $185-million fine; rival Infineon Technologies AG of Germany agreed to pay $160-million last year. A fourth chip maker, Micron Technology Inc. of Boise, Idaho, has been co-operating with prosecutors and was not expected to face charges. AP has the details.
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November 21, 2005
Posted by Sandy
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Posted by Sandy
Apple says it will prepay $1.25 billion USD over three months to secure a reliable supply of flash memory from five suppliers: Hynix, Intel, Micron, Samsung Electronics and Toshiba. “We want to be able to produce as many of our wildly popular iPods as the market demands,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. This is a neat move. This not only guarantees Apple access to the flash memory needed for future iPods, but also provides a potential headache for competitors that need to buy flash memory in quantity for their own MP3 players. (Has any company every prepaid this much for electronic components?)
Meanwhile, Intel and Micron announced the formation of a new company to manufacture flash memory, with an initial investment of $1.2 billion each.
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+ TrackBacks (0) | Category: Analysis | Headlines
November 17, 2005
Posted by Sandy
Although Mac systems are not affected by the Windows-specific Sony rootkit threat, there may be Mac-specific DRM on some recent Sony CDs.
Larry Loeb at SecurityITHub provides the details: Imogen Heap's new CD, "Speak for Yourself," on RCA Victor (a BMG subsidiary), has an extra partition for "enhanced" content. Along with Windows files, there is a Mac file present called "Start.app." Unlike the Windows version, the Mac malware is not hidden, and does not install itself automatically. You have to do it yourself.When run, a EULA is first displayed (which does inform the user that software is going to be installed without saying exactly what that software will do).
The user then is prompted by the program for a user name and password. After that information is provided, the program seemingly quits. However, it actually installs two kernel extensions, PhoenixNub1.kext and PhoenixNub12.kext, in the OS X system files. So. To infect your Mac, you must:
1. Trust Sony.
2. Be curious enough to install mystery software.
3. Locate the Mac software on the audio CD.
4. Manually start the installation process.
5. Override security with a user name/password.
Don't be so smug. This could happen. (Well, before this week, it could have happened. After this week, even people who lack common sense won't make it past #1.)
Loeb says the offending files appear to be part of a DRM solution sold by SunnComm.
Link: Sony DRM Comes in Mac Flavor Too
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+ TrackBacks (0) | Category: Headlines | Music
Posted by Sandy
Forbes: EMI Says Apple's Jobs Will Change ITunes Pricing Today EMI Group boss Alain Levy said at press conference today that he believed Jobs would introduce multiple price points for iTunes music within the next year. The Forbes story doesn't add much to what we already know. It notes that executives from the big labels have been "pushing Jobs publicly and privately to move to a tiered pricing system." This public comment could simply be more of the same.
See also More or less than 99 cents
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November 16, 2005
Posted by Sandy
Has the success of the iPod given Apple too much control of the music business? I'm not sure how many consumers feel that way, but it certainly seems to be a problem for the recording industry.
Who will rescue the record labels? This article from Business 2.0 says we should keep an eye on Navio, a company "that wants to help shift the balance of power back to the media companies." Imagine if you went to a music site to buy a single download for 99 cents, but instead you were offered the option to purchase the perpetual right to that song. With this right, you could download the song to your PC, your iPod, or your cell phone in whatever format was appropriate. And if you got a new computer, or if the digital-rights-management software protecting the file changed one day, you wouldn’t need to buy the song again. Your rights to the song would be stored online. Pay once, and it would be yours forever. If you lost it, you’d just download it again. Or you could share the song with a friend, or even resell it, depending on what rights you bought. I would be delighted to get more rights with my purchase, but not if I have to buy a "bundle" with unwanted stuff (e.g. ringtones) to get it.
I'm skeptical of the article's claim that Navio-protected content will soon work with the iPod. Anything you can reverse-engineer, Apple can "fix" later with an iTunes or iPod update.
Finally, the idea that power should shift back to the labels strikes me as bizarre. Can we shift a bit more power to the artists and their audience please?
Read the article: The Empire Strikes Back
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November 04, 2005
Posted by Sandy
 Here's some new ammunition for those who think Apple's move to Intel processors is about building computers that can run both Mac and Windows applications.
Apple's U.S. patent application 0050246554 ("System and method for creating tamper-resistant code") describes scenarios in which the user would choose a "first operating system" and a "second operating system" from a set that includes Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, and Linux.
There's also mention of a virtual machine, and the option to choose between "Macintosh computer" and "Windows PC."
...continue reading.
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October 27, 2005
Posted by Sandy
AP reports that Yahoo plans to increase the price of its music rental service to $11.99 per month. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said Yahoo's low rental prices didn't impress most consumers because the service isn't compatible with Apple's iPod--which boasts about 75 percent of the market for portable players.
"About 90 percent of the (iTunes) music store's success has to do with the devices that it works with," Munster said. No word yet on whether the introductory pricing brought Yahoo a host of loyal customers.
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Posted by Sandy
 The front page of Apple.com notes the passing of Rosa Parks. The photo links to an inside page that tells you more about her life and accomplishments.
Mike Evangelist reflects on Apple's Think Different heroes and tells a story from 2001, related to the death of George Harrison.
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October 24, 2005
Posted by Sandy
After more than a year of speculation and false starts, Australia finally got its own iTunes Store today, with more than a million songs, music videos, exclusive content by local bands, podcasts, etc.
One little problem: Sony BMG isn't on board. "While the Australian iTunes store has agreements with major record companies such as Warner Music Group Corp., Universal Music and EMI Group Plc. it won't include artists managed by Sony BMG." New Zealand is still waiting.
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October 19, 2005
Posted by Sandy
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October 12, 2005
Posted by Sandy
 The pink Madonna iPod was a no-show, thank goodness, but there were several pleasant surprises at today's Apple media event, including new iPods with video and a new iMac with built-in media center software.
Updated iPod, available in black and white, adds larger screen and support for video content. iTunes store has 2,000 music videos at launch, plus Pixar short films, and -- for the U.S. market only -- TV programs from Disney and ABC.
Updated iMac G5 has built-in digital camera, new Front Row software for quick access to music, video, movie trailers, etc., The new Apple Remote lets you control Front Row from the couch. Apple Remote combined with new Universal Dock accessory gives you remote control of your iPod.
There are also new versions of iTunes and QuickTime.
Did I miss anything?
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October 11, 2005
Posted by Sandy
Apple's financial results for Q4 2005 included the highest revenue and earnings in company history, a significant increase in computer sales and continued success for iPod. Details to follow after the conference call.
from the official press release: “We’re thrilled to have concluded the best year in Apple’s history, with 68 percent year-over-year revenue growth and 384 percent net profit growth,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “This is the direct result of our focus on innovation and the immense talent and creativity at Apple. We could not be more excited about the new products we’re working on for 2006.”
“We’re very pleased to report 48 percent year-over-year growth in Mac shipments in Q4, as well as our 10th consecutive quarter of record iPod sales,” said Peter Oppenheimer, Apple’s CFO. “Looking ahead to the first quarter of fiscal 2006 which will span 14 weeks, we expect revenue of about $4.7 billion. We expect GAAP earnings per diluted share of about $.46, including an estimated $.03 per share expense impact from non-cash share-based compensation, translating to non-GAAP EPS of about $.49.”
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Posted by Sandy
Microsoft settles with Real, and both parties are pleased as punch. "I'm eager to begin working together with the team at Microsoft," the company's chief executive, Rob Glaser, said during a joint appearance with his former boss and longtime nemesis, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates. When you review the details of the settlement, it's not hard to imagine that Microsoft will eventually acquire Real outright and abandon its own music service.
With its last real problem solved, Microsoft can focus on crushing, er, competing with iTunes.
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September 28, 2005
Posted by Sandy
SanDisk explores the market for flash memory with built-in DRM. "The chip design company is introducing TrustedFlash, a memory chip with built-in security that prevents illegal copying. That could help calm the tension between the entertainment industry that wants strict controls on intellectual property and technology companies that want digital content to be freely transferable to cell phones, music players, computers and other gadgets.
"Eli Harari, chief executive of SanDisk, said in an interview that the new chips create more options for both entertainment companies and consumers alike. The entertainment companies can sell their songs, movies or games in different ways, and consumers can buy and view the entertainment where they want and whenever they want, as long as they pay for it." Read the whole article here.
The advantage of something like TrustedFlash is its potential compatibility with many electronic devices. The same music chip could be used in your mobile phone, MP3 player, car stereo, or television.
It's worth noting that Sony tried something like this (in a more proprietary way) with its MagicGate technology.
SanDisk announced that a version of the Rolling Stones' album "A Bigger Bang" will be sold on a TrustedFlash microSD or miniSD card in November. The price? US$39.99. This -- plus the fact that SanDisk is using the name "gruvi" to market TrustedFlash -- makes me skeptical of this tech. Why pay more for something that offers less than commercial CDs?
SanDisk is offering freedom from "lock-in" on a PC or iPod in exchange for lock-in to its own electronic prison. Plus, you lose the ability to mix and match songs. Like a commercial CD, the SanDisk card comes with a set play list.
Will SanDisk be able to grab a piece of the DRM distribution pie? According to an analyst contacted by Macworld, "the entire mobile device and content ecosystem" would have to change first.
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September 20, 2005
Posted by Sandy
 Apple has introduced several improvements to its .Mac service.
.Mac upgrades include:
- more e-mail and file storage (1 GB total, up from 250 MB)
- new forums, file sharing options (.Mac Groups)
- new and improved file backup tool (Backup 3)
- full French and German localization (in addition to English and Japanese)
First Impressions
Backup 3 has a different user interface, automatic backup for iLife files, and other new features that answer some of the requests I made here.
I'm sure it's no coincidence that this update took place just before the anniversary of the first paid .Mac subscriptions. Most original subscribers face renewal in the next 2-3 weeks.
Update: It looks like the QuickPicks system in Backup has been updated to allow third parties to add their own -- like this QuickPick for Delicious Library data. Very nice!
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September 14, 2005
Posted by Sandy
 Google BlogSearch indexes and searches the text of weblogs. All weblogs.
Finding stuff is just the beginning. For frequently-used searches, just bookmark your search results (just like Google News searches). This makes it easy to return and do the same search each day, or several times each day.
It gets better. Each search results page has its own XML feed, so you can bookmark the search result in your RSS reader software go through the results quickly without firing up Google BlogSearch at all.
So. If BlogSearch can find everything you need, and your browser can bookmark the resulting dynamic bookmark, do you need feed reader software?
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September 13, 2005
Posted by Sandy
"In a demonstration of Windows Vista, semitransparent windows on the computer desktop allowed users to see objects underneath, including moving video, while search results were displayed in real time as queries were typed in." - Reuters I spent this evening catching up on Microsoft news from this week's Professional Developers Conference.
A quick skim of the various announcements yields lots to tease Microsoft about, from the OS X look and feel of Vista and me-too Microsoft Gadgets to the remarkably transparent announcements of "embrace and extend" strategies (e.g. adding new "rich" features to RSS feeds). (And am I alone in hearing about Atlas and thinking that Atlas vs. Ajax looks like ActiveX vs. Java all over again?)
Update: I was wrong. Ajax -- short for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) -- is not a technology in itself. The term refers to the use of several technologies together. Atlas (aka ASP.net) can't compete with Ajax because it's simply Microsoft's version of Ajax. Mea culpa!)
These are tempting topics, but I'll leave them alone until I finish watching the for-some-reason-very-choppy Windows Media webcast of today's Bill Gates keynote. I'm sure Sparkle is in there somewhere...
Meanwhile, skip the mainstream news headlines about Windows Vista and the new user interface for Office and check out some of these cool bits:
- Start.com (a.k.a. "A Preview of Web 3.0")
- Microsoft Max (aka Codename Max - free photo sharing)
- Microsoft Gadgets (Microsoft's Konfabulator)
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September 09, 2005
Posted by Sandy
Has Sony borrowed from iTunes to redesign its SonicStage Connect store software, or is this screen shot a fake?
link
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Posted by Sandy
Chosun reports that some Korean electronics companies are grumbling about Apple's flash memory deal with Samsung. The domestic MP3 player industry is sulking, saying the iPod nano owes its exceptionally low price to Samsung Electronics...
But Samsung Electronics executive Joo Woo-sik defends the company. "I can’t tell you the discount rate, but it stands to reason that we expand the range of discount rates for a big buyer like Apple," he said. "Samsung didn’t mean to do any harm to domestic MP3 manufacturers."
But they are unhappy. Reincom spokesman Kim Dong-hwan said, "We can hardly declare a price war with Apple. We’ll counter Apple’s challenge by releasing new concept products." So, to recap:
- Apple competitors say its products cost too little
- They plan to compete with originality and innovation.
Ah, irony.
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September 08, 2005
Posted by Sandy
 A posting on Macslash questions Cingular's claim to be exclusive carrier for the iTunes phone, and cites my TechStuff article as evidence.
In fact, Cingular did have an exclusive on launch day, and will continue to be the exclusive U.S. carrier for the iTunes phone. Rogers Wireless, the exclusive Canadian carrier, gets the phone later this month.
Here's the list of international partners from Motorola's press release: U.S. -- today, exclusively with Cingular
U.K. -- expected to be available first with Carphone Warehouse in mid-September and with O2, Orange, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile and other top retailers by late September
France – expected to be available by late September through Bouygues
Italy -- expected to be available by late September through distributor and operator channels
Canada -- expected to be available in mid- to late-September with Rogers Wireless
Hong Kong -- expected to be available by late September through multiple retail outlets and operator channels
Australia, Singapore and the Philippines -- expected to be available late September through early October through retail and operator channels
Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and other markets throughout the world -- expected to be available in the fourth quarter
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September 01, 2005
Posted by Sandy
 Weirdness.
The Mac mini Test Drive promotion at the online Apple Store is dead.
There are plenty of reasons to try something like this, and plenty of reasons not to, but it's thoroughly weird to launch it then shut it down. Was it rogue marketing or a premature launch of a planned promotion?
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August 29, 2005
Posted by Sandy
Is Microsoft planning to open retail stores?
According to the New York Post, Microsoft is "on the prowl" for retail space in Times Square. "The move would be the software giant's first big stab at retail and may be an attempt to play catch-up with archrival Apple, which has hit a home run with its own branded stores, including its New York City flagship in SoHo. Microsoft is looking for a large space to create a 'branding experience' a la Apple's showroom and information center." If the retail rumor is true, I bet it's for an Xbox store. "Microsoft retail store" is a straight line, not a strategy. For example: Top 10 things overheard at the Microsoft retail store:
• "Please check all torches and pitchforks at the door."
• "You can browse, but you must use Internet Explorer."
• "It does work. You just need the patch."
• "We don't support that. Try the [partner name] store."
• "Very funny. No, we don't sell copies of Monopoly."
• "Please see the officer at the Authentication Bar."
• "The next version of the Microsoft Store should have that."
• "I'll give you an Xbox if you stop crying."
• "What other choice do you have?"
• "Beep. You seem to be shopping for an iPod. Can I help?"
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August 23, 2005
Posted by Sandy
 This week's big news is Google Talk, Google's entry into the instant message and voice over IP markets.
Download Squad reports that Google Talk works with Jabber-compatible chat software. Although there is no Mac client yet, TUAW confirms that it works with iChat.
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August 22, 2005
Posted by Sandy
According to this Reuters article, some in the music industry would like to see Apple knocked down a peg or two. The market dominance of iPod + iTunes permits Apple to call some of the shots, and that's making some music execs uncomfortable.
...continue reading.
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August 19, 2005
Posted by Sandy
 The first generation of all-in-one iMac G5 computers had some video and power issues. Apple has announced a repair program for customers who bought affected units.
...continue reading.
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August 18, 2005
Posted by Sandy
 How much would you expect to pay for a used iBook?
More than $50? I thought so.
Panic ensues in rush for cheap laptops "More than 1,000 people turned out at the Richmond International Raceway in hopes of getting their hands on one of the 4-year-old Apple iBooks, which retail for between $999 and $1,299. The Henrico County school system was selling 1,000 of the computers to county residents.
"Officials opened the gates at 7 a.m., but some already had been waiting for hours in line. When the gates opened, it became a terrifying mob scene.
"People threw themselves forward, screaming and pushing each other. A little girl's stroller was crushed in the stampede. Witnesses said an elderly man was thrown to the pavement, and someone in a car tried to drive his way through the crowd." Photos of the event are here.
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January 12, 2005
Posted by Sandy
 The mood on the show floor here at Macworld Expo is very positive. It's nice to attend a show where the exhibitors are upbeat and sincerely excited about the stuff they're selling.
There's an interesting mix of big name hardware and software vendors, audio and video companies, and smaller, start-up and shareware vendors. The big growth this year seems to be in products related to the iPod. The accessories market is booming.
...continue reading.
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Posted by Sandy
Today's quarterly report from Apple provided the first hard evidence of the so-called "halo effect" -- the idea that iPod sales will help to increase sales of Mac computers.
...continue reading.
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January 11, 2005
Posted by Sandy
Here are my point-form notes from today's Macworld keynote presentation.
...continue reading.
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Posted by Sandy
 The big headlines from today's Steve Jobs keynote at Macworld will come from small products that represent a big strategic shift for Apple.
iPod shuffle ($99, $149) targets the market for low-priced digital music players that use flash memory.
Mac mini ($499, $599) targets the low end of the PC market.
Time for me to eat crow: I was wrong. I didn't think Apple would enter either of these markets. These releases challenge the company's tradition of releasing premium products at premium prices, and should help bring many more people to the Mac platform.
I'll have more on the keynote announcements shortly.
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January 08, 2005
Posted by Sandy
According to this BBC story, Californian Thomas Slattery is seeking damages from Apple because songs he purchased from the iTunes Store can only be played on an iPod. "Apple has unlawfully bundled, tied, and/or leveraged its monopoly in the market for the sale of legal online digital music recordings to thwart competition in the separate market for portable hard drive digital music players, and vice-versa," the lawsuit said. Unlawfully? I doubt it. By that logic, gamers who bought Ratchet & Clank can sue Sony for "forcing" them to buy a PS2.
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December 02, 2004
Posted by Sandy
 The Canadian iTunes Music Store is finally open for business, at 99 cents (Canadian) per song.
Based on the opening day inventory, I suspect the ink is still wet on some of the legal agreements, but the store is open, and that's what counts. Let the download frenzy begin!
I made my first purchase: At Last by Etta James.
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December 01, 2004
Posted by Sandy
 Welcome to December. So much for the November launch of the iTunes Music Store in Canada.
The natives are restless. We've been up all night drinking beer, eating back bacon and punching reload on Apple.ca. After all, if the store had launched at 2:59 am California time, that would still have been November, technically speaking.
Watch it, Apple. If you're not careful, we'll take our piles of 99 cents and go to one of the other online music stores that supports Macs.
Like, um...
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October 26, 2004
Posted by Sandy
Contrary to what you may read elsewhere, the news at today's Apple event was not all about Canada.
- iPod Photo
- iTunes 4.7 released
- U2 Special Edition iPod
Contrary to earlier speculation, Apple did not add photo browsing to existing iPod products. iPod Photo is an entirely new product line, with a higher price tag than the iPod mini or regular iPod.
Editorial note: This item has been updated to correct my bad math.
...continue reading.
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Posted by Sandy
iTunes store for Canada? Not today. Best of luck to the Red Sox.
Update: "Apple today also announced it will launch the iTunes Music Store in Canada in November."
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October 25, 2004
Posted by Sandy
Q: How are Canadian Mac fans like Red Sox fans?
A: We've had our hearts broken many times in the past.
On the other hand, maybe this is our year --
just like the Red Sox.
On the eve of the U2 iTunes event, iTunes has locked Canadians out of the American iTunes store. Previously, the software allowed Canadian users to browse the U.S. store after displaying a warning; now it just displays the flags of the four current iTunes stores (i.e. USA, UK, France and Germany).
Update: You can still browse using the "Browse" button, but you can't enter other iTunes store(s) the old way.
Will the iTunes store go worldwide tomorrow? Will Canadians be able to buy music from their own iTunes store? My hopes are high, but it's probably better to brace for another heartbreak.
Stay tuned...
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October 23, 2004
Posted by Sandy
The sky began to fall October 22, thanks to this discussion on MacInTouch. Readers learned that the first ever virus for Mac OS X had been found. Again!
No, wait... the sky is not falling. If you read the reaction to the story on Macintouch you discover that "Opener" (aka Renepo) is not a worm or a virus. It's a script that can do quite a bit of mischief if it runs on an OS X system that has already been compromised.
Here's a pithy summary from anti-virus maker Sophos:
Note that any attacker trying to plant this worm in your network would need to get root access on one of your boxes first, meaning that you would already be "owned".
In other words: this is a root kit, not a virus or a worm.
Nothing to see here. Move along, please.
...continue reading.
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September 01, 2004
Posted by Sandy
If I had a nickel for every time someone bought a song a recommended...
What? I can get a nickel every time?
Apple is making it possible for qualified partner sites to earn 5% of all "qualifying revenue" generated by click-through from the new iTunes Affiliate Program. The affiliate program is a partnership with LinkShare.
I bet the phone is ringing today at Commission Junction...
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Posted by Sandy
You can see a preview of the MSN Music store right now at beta.music.msn.com. Follow this link for details.
First look: the site works in every browser I've tried, and does not require any special software to sign in. It's interesting (and a bit weird) that the site includes advertising for non-music products ("Sponsored Sites"), and the links for "TV" and "MOVIES" suggest a future strategy for "MSN Entertainment" (not just tunes).
Update: Still no luck for Canadians. MSN Music appears to be U.S. only.
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August 31, 2004
Posted by Sandy
The critics have spoken: Apple's new iMac G5 is derivative and boring, a big disappointment, and a missed opportunity.
Memo to Apple: the next iMac should have these features: - revolutionary, stylish design
(but nothing too-strange looking) - everything a Media Center PC can do
(but priced lower than a bare-bones Windows PC) - stable, reliable, and dependable
(but behaves just like a Windows PC) - built from both matter and anti-matter
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Posted by Sandy
 The $1,299 price tag and the all-in-one design won't please anyone who was hoping for a cheaper Mac or a headless Mac, but the new iMac G5 -- "from the creators of iPod" -- offers better value than the computer it replaces.
The new 17" iMac G5 costs $1,299 -- the same as the former entry-level 15" iMac G4. The new iMac G5 has a larger, widescreen LCD, a faster G5 processor running at 1.6 GHz (up from 1 GHz), a better video card and twice as much video memory.
The differences between the new 20" iMac G5 and the model it replaces are even more dramatic. The specs went up but the price went down.
...continue reading.
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August 27, 2004
Posted by Sandy
Recognizing that the iPod is more than a music player, HP has equipped its new mobile photo printer to recognize the iPod as storage device.
Translation: you can print the photos stored on your iPod hard drive without a computer. Just connect the iPod to the printer, select the picture you want, and print.
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Posted by Sandy
 The first iPods from a company other than Apple will ship on September 15. You can order one now from hp.com/music.
Eschewing the name Hpod, the new iPod players from HP are called Apple iPod from HP. For marketing purposes, HP will use the logo above.
Also announced today: HP will put its mark on the iPod -- literally -- with an invention called HP Printable Tattoos. These will be protective wrappers stamped with album art. You will be able to print your own photos or art on a Printable Tattoo -- using an HP printer, of course.
The Apple iPod from HP will be the current iPod (fourth-generation) in two versions: 20 GB storage for $299, and 40 GB storage for $399.
You can order one now from hpshopping.com.
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August 19, 2004
Posted by Sandy
 Big news of the day: PocketMac BlackBerry Edition - $29.95.
from the PocketMac site: "PocketMac BlackBerry Edition takes care of everything for you. Install the software on your Mac in 3 minutes, configure which options you want enabled (Entourage Calendar, iCal, Tasks, etc.), connect your BlackBerry to your Mac via USB or Serial Cable, and start the sync. That's all that's required. That's literally it." The program works with the RIM 957 and BlackBerry 5810, 6210, 6230, 6280, 6510, 6710, 6750, 7210, 7230, 7280, 7510, 7730, 7750 and 7780.
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July 12, 2004
Posted by Sandy
What happens when the copy-protection on a commercial CD makes it incompatible with Apple's best-selling digital music player? People complain and ask for changes, that's what. (Ah, the advantages of being a market leader..). "If you look at the 500 or 600 customer service comments we've gotten, you see that 80 percent of them have to do with iPod compatibility," said SunnComm International Chief Executive Officer Peter Jacobs, whose technology was loaded on last month's chart-topping Velvet Revolver disc. "The rest are, 'Why can't I do what I want with my music.' And a lot of those are really iPod questions too." Read the rest here.
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June 30, 2004
Posted by Sandy
Would you trade in an old iPod to get $100 off a Dell DJ? "I think it's unlikely that iPod users are going to give up their old iPods," said Tim Deal, analyst at Technology Business Research, despite Dell's "innovative and aggressive marketing strategy."
There are more reasons, Deal said. The iPod "is not just about the hardware, it's about the entire experience. Apple still offers the best integrated experience, from using the iTunes music store and application to the (iPod) hardware. It's easy to use," Deal said. Deal said he has tried both the iPod and players based on Microsoft software, such as the DJ.
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June 29, 2004
Posted by Sandy
It's interesting to watch the WWDC 2004 keynote and note when the audience of Mac developers applaud or gasp or groan.
During Jobs' presentation of the new metadata indexing feature in OS X Tiger, the burst of applause came not for the search itself, but when Jobs showed that searches can be saved as "Smart Folders" in the Finder and "Smart Groups" in Address Book. The technology itself isn't the story -- it's these amazing self-updating tools that use the Spotlight tech. Cool.
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June 09, 2004
Posted by Sandy
 The new Power Macs, which were announced today, feature dual G5 processors and high bandwidth -- up to a 1.25GHz frontside bus per processor. The new "best" Power Mac has two processors running at 2.5 GHz and features an advanced liquid cooling system.
The dual 1.8 GHz and dual 2.0 GHz models are available now, but the liquid-cooled model will not ship until July. (Perhaps the "advanced liquid cooling" is Aquafina water, provided by Pepsi.)
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June 08, 2004
Posted by Sandy
The Beatles' music is not available for online purchase. Not yet, anyway. But you can bet that every online music store would love to make a deal; preferably, an exclusive deal to sell Beatles songs online.
If you've ever wondered what tough business negotiations are like, here's a small sample. The following is a partial transcript of secret, behind-the-scenes negotiations between Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs, Apple Corps, the public face of the Beatles, and EMI, the group's record label.
...continue reading.
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June 07, 2004
Posted by Sandy
 As noted here: Apple has released a new security update for Mac OS X. After this update, every new application will require user approval to run for the first time. This solution should reduce the risk of running a program that comes disguised as another type of file.
Use Software Update to get the fix or use one of these links:
- for Mac OS X 10.3.4
- for Mac OS X 10.2.8
...continue reading.
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Posted by Sandy
 AirPort Express, announced today, is brilliant in its simplicity.
In addition to wireless Internet and print sharing, AirPort Express users gain the ability to send music to any stereo from iTunes. (It's also going to come in handy for travel, when you want to be wireless in your hotel room, for example. rather than tethered to a desk.)
...continue reading.
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June 03, 2004
Posted by Sandy
McDonalds and Sony have announced a promotion that will bundle free songs with Big Macs.
Starting June 8, U.S. customers who buy a Big Mac Extra Value meal will get a code good for one free song from the Connect music store. The deal will be offered in Europe as well several weeks later.
Details here.
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May 25, 2004
Posted by Sandy
John Gruber has the best wrap-up of this week's OS X security flap. Security Update 2004-05-24 fixes the Help Viewer ‘help:runscript’ vulnerability, but you still have to manually uncheck "Open 'safe' files after downloading" in Safari's preferences.
Although news.com says that Apple's security update does not plug the security hole, it's not clear to me which update they're talking about -- I got one update via the OS X Software Update service on Friday, but another update has been released since then.
If you're concerned about this, keep your eye on the Apple downloads page.
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May 18, 2004
Posted by Sandy
Founder Technology, the second-largest PC maker in China, will distribute Apple's iTunes music software with Founder computers. News.com reports: Founder chairman Wei Xin said the deal lets Founder be the first to offer iTunes in China. "Digital music is becoming very important in the Chinese PC market, and Apple's iTunes is the runaway market leader," Xin said in a statement.
Technology Business Research senior analyst Tim Deal said the number of potential customers in China offers Apple a way to significantly boost iPod sales in Asia.
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May 17, 2004
Posted by Sandy
 Freshly Squeezed Software has taken the wraps (peel?) off its new software. Pulp Fiction is a newsreader with a decidedly Mail-like user interface.
Pulp Fiction may not be as quick or scalable as the champ, NetNewsWire, but it's a fine effort, and cheaper, too. Try 'em both and see which one is your favourite.
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May 12, 2004
Posted by Sandy
Wired News reports on Apple's music library: The programming director of the [iTunes Music] store is a former radio deejay who's constantly looking for places to find old and out-of-print music. His team of music programmers are experts in world music, hip-hop, rock and classical, to name a few genres. In addition to their own expertise, the iTunes staff regularly collects suggestions from Apple Computer employees, customers and anyone who's looking to fill a hole in his or her music collection. What if you want to suggest a song yourself? Visit the iTunes Feedback page, and select the "Request Music" option.
The article does not mention customer searches, but I'm sure Apple collects and analyzes
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May 11, 2004
Posted by Sandy
 IDG reports that Microsoft is getting out of the wireless hardware business. The company's current inventory of Wi-Fi products will be sold off; support for the products will end when their warranties expire.
I'm sorry to see Microsoft leave this market. As a Mac and Windows user, I benefitted from the interoperability between Microsoft hardware with AirPort products. I have nothing but good things to say about the Microsoft hardware.
Although the company has not provided a reason for leaving this market, I can guess. Competition is fierce, profit margins are low, and no one can think of new features to make us pay more. It's time to move on.
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May 10, 2004
Posted by Sandy
The Vaio Pocket will go on sale in Japan on June 5. The new portable music player has a 20 GB disk drive and a tiny color screen. According to this Macworld article, the Vaio Pocket VGF-AP1 will be a bit bulkier than the 20 GB iPod, and will cost about $70 more, but will have longer battery life and a color screen.
Meanwhile, Sony's new online music store needs some work. Rob Pegoraro's review in Fast Forward called Connect "an embarrassment to the company that gave the world the Walkman."
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April 29, 2004
Posted by Sandy
Apple has expanded its iBook repair program to cover units made between May 2002 and October 2003. Affected systems have symptoms related to bad video (e.g. lines on the screen, video freezes and stuttering) caused by a problem with the logic board.
...continue reading.
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April 26, 2004
Posted by Sandy
c|net has a new download site for free MP3 files: music.download.com. News of the launch appeared on c|net itself today, in |
