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Apple: iPhone apps to go unchallenged
Greg Joswiak, Apple’s VP of ipod marketing, has publicly stated that Apple is taking a neutral position on the subject of native third-party iPhone apps: Apple won’t support them at all, but it also won’t attempt to deter their development via legal means or via software updates that would break them.
This is terrific news. Apple took this stance with the Apple TV, and it worked wonderfully for them. This is what I needed to hear from Apple in order for me to consider installing third party apps on my iPhone. Now, all I need is a real killer app that gives me a reason to invest the time — I haven’t seen it, thus far.
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Rick Rubin thinks subscription-based music is the future
I know it’s the unpopular choice amongst Apple fans, but I actually sort of agree with Rubin here. I do think people would flock to a subscription-based arrangement, if that arrangement met the following conditions:
- They could truly access their subscribed music anywhere. That means on their computer, on their phone, on their iPod, on their TV, in their car, at work, and so on. Anywhere.
- The DRM applied to the tracks was non-invasive. People claim to hate DRM, but they’ve also collectively proven (with iTunes’ success) that they’re willing to accept a DRM when that DRM doesn’t get in their way. iTunes’ DRM is non-restrictive enough that even hardcore music fans and gadget geeks rarely find it invasive. The only people who would object to iTunes’ DRM are heavy-duty pirates who are try to mass produce illegal copies of music — and who cares about them? A subscription service would have to have a similarly non-restrictive DRM (and that’s going to be a more tricky task to achieve with a subscription arrangement).
Someone will eventually figure out how to do subscriptions well, and I do think it’ll succeed. I see no reason to believe it won’t be Apple, though.
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The new home office.
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Home office
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Apple releases LOST video game for iPod
Yes, I’ve already bought it. No, I haven’t played it yet. I’ll let you know. The preview looks great.
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EMI Music launches DRM-free superior sound quality downloads across its entire digital repertoire
Apple and EMI today joined announced that EMI music will be available from iTunes DRM-free. Even though it was obvious the momentum was heading in this direction, I still wasn’t going to believe it until I saw it. This is a big day for consumer rights. Here are the nitty details:
Apple has announced that iTunes will make individual AAC format tracks available from EMI artists at twice the sound quality of existing downloads, with their DRM removed, at a price of $1.29/€1.29/£0.99. iTunes will continue to offer consumers the ability to pay $0.99/€0.99/£0.79 for standard sound quality tracks with DRM still applied. Complete albums from EMI Music artists purchased on the iTunes Store will automatically be sold at the higher sound quality and DRM-free, with no change in the price. Consumers who have already purchased standard tracks or albums with DRM will be able to upgrade their digital music for $0.30/€0.30/£0.20 per track. All EMI music videos will also be available on the iTunes Store DRM-free with no change in price.
All in all, this seems quite fair. EMI is obviously using the DRM-free tracks as a way to increase full album sales (by not changing the price for DRM-free and higher sound quality on album sales, but making them $0.30 more on a per-track basis), but I can live with that.
Thanks you, EMI, for being the first big boy to see the light, and thank you, Steve Jobs, for helping convince them.
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One of these days I'll stop buying every product Apple makes….
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One of these days I'll stop buying every product Apple makes….
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Apple may credit iTunes album purchases
This would be really great if it happens. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve bought a track or two and then had to re-buy them when I wanted the whole album. It makes sense for the labels, too, as they are desperately trying to revitalize sales of entire albums.
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Create Your Own Apple Rumor
A confirmed source has confirmed earlier reports that we will see a Flash based Mac Pro or video iPod shuffle no later than Macworld 2008.
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Would Apple Mix DRM and Non-DRM Music at the iTunes Store?
Gruber has a nice article on how Apple might deal with the UI complexity of selling both DRM’d and non-DRM’d music on iTunes. He suggests a similar solution I’ve been touting — just don’t mention it by default. Some songs will be DRM protected and some won’t. People who really care about DRM (which isn’t most people) could turn on a preference to show the license or click something to get details — but most people don’t care, so don’t confuse everyone with it.
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Reading Between the Lines of Steve Jobs’s ‘Thoughts on Music’
Gruber provides his usual insightful commentary on Job’s DRM essay. The most interesting bit, to me, is that Nettwerk, an indie label that has some big-name artists like Avril and The Barenaked Ladies, is already selling DRM-free music on eMusic and has ben told by Apple they can’t do the same on iTunes. I hadn’t heard this, but if it’s true, it seems really contradictory on Apple’s part. If Jobs wants this essay to have some impact with the big boys, Apple should make a DRM-free deal with Nettwerk and other indie labels in order to prove they’re not bluffing.
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Kristin hold up one of the party favors
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Kristin hold up one of the party favors
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Jobs: There will be 3rd party software for the iPhone
Steve Jobs is quoted in this Times article as saying that while Apple will control the availably of software for the iPhone, it won’t necessarily write it. Perhaps even more interesting is this tidbit: “Several Apple insiders said the phone could be upgraded to 3G with software if Apple later decides to do so.” If that’s true, it’s a huge fucking deal.
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iPhone: The Most Revolutionary Device Since 1984
Earlier today, I sat at work with one more IRC channel open than usual. I was in Macrumors’ channel for live coverage of today’s Macworld keynote speech by Steve Jobs. The Apple TV announcement came and went. I’d already decided to buy one of these, so I was an interested party — but I never got too excited. No real surprises, here. Jobs then introduced a three-in-one device that was being touted as a widescreen iPod, a “revolutionary” mobile phone, and an “Internet communicator.” I perked up, but remained calm. Then, the screen scrolled up a line, and an 11 point Lucida Grande Holy Shit Moment started me in the face:
Runs OS X.
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Apple: Apple TV
I’ve been trying to order an Apple TV since the keynote ended, but the store keeps failing me. Nonetheless, it looks quite nice. Nothing revolutionary here, but a good, solid product that does everything it needs to, from what I can tell.
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Apple: iPhone
I’m being completely serious when I say, “this changes everything.” This device stands to be every bit as revolutionary as the Macintosh and the iPod. There are people who shouted from the rooftops that it couldn’t be done — that no one could make a pocket device that was all things to everyone. And yet — at least from what we’ve seen — it seems as though Apple has done it. In-fucking-credible. There’s really no other way to describe it. Beautiful work by Wilson, Paul, and the rest of the Apple.com team, as well. It was a nice demo of Leopard, as well. ;) I have a lot more to say about this — including why it may actually be a good thing that it is shackled with a two-year contract. So stay tuned for that.
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WSJ says Apple and Cingular releasing a phone together
Remember, The Wall Street Journal had the “Apple Switching To Intel” story the night before it happened, too.
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Macworld 2007 Predictions
Sure, I’ll play this game like everyone else. I’m more excited about this particular Macworld than I have been in quite a while, primarily because it seems as though Apple is finally ready to make a real leap into the living room and possibly the mobile space — two places I’ve wanted Apple to be for the longest time.
So, without further ado, here’s what I think we’ll see The Steve talking about in tomorrow’s big Macworld Expo Keynote Address.
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Who’s Killing MP3 and iTunes?
An interesting take on why the record labels may actually start to prefer non-DRM’d MP3s over rights-managed formats — and why it could be a serious pain in Apple’s rear end.
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Dan Benjamin: Regarding Macworld 2007
Dan goes out on a limb with some predictions, most of which seem like they should be pretty accurate.
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10 Questions Apple Must Answer in 2007
Wired’s Cult of Mac drops another year end top-ten list — and it’s a good one. Surprisingly insightful commentary on what’s to come from everyone’s favorite company.
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Haley with her gift from me
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How Apple Could Rock Wireless
CNN Money on why Nokia, Motorola, and LG may be secretly rooting for an Apple-branded phone to be a (minor) hit.
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Apple iPhone concept — probably fake, but still.
I’m certainly doubtful this could be real (the iPhone name and lame “Many Abilities” copy don’t seem very Apple to me), but it’s kind of a neat concept, nonetheless.
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C|Net: Prizefight: Apple iPod vs Microsoft Zune
Not surprising: the iPod wins by a very small margin. Surprising: the iPod loses the “interface” category” and wins the “features” category. Pretty good comparison, and a very cool little online TV show from C|Net. The web needs more of this. Here’s part two.
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Gizmodo Knows: iPhone Will Be Released On Monday
Gizmodo’s Brian Lam is “guarantees it.” Hard to believe, but we’ll see.
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Microsoft Zune commercial parodies “I’m a Mac” ads
Sure, it doesn’t mention that you can only listen to the song three times before it explodes inside your Zune, but still, I like this commercial. Funny, pointed, and direct. It’s an interesting twist to see Microsoft acting as the little guy poking fun of the big behemoth in the industry, like Apple has been doing to Windows for so many years.
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Martian SlingShot for iTunes
Via a coworker: iTunes playlist syncing between two computers. I haven’t tried it yet, but it sound like almost exactly what I was looking for. Thanks a lot, Joseph.
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Brian Ford: What Can Apple Buy for One Dollar?
A great analysis of the $1-per-song Universal/Zune deal and what it means to Apple.
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How Nokia can knock the iPod from its perch
“Apple’s greatest threat isn’t Microsoft. It’s Nokia.” Couldn’t. Agree. More. The N91 is hot, and I’d pay just about any price to get my hands on an N95. Apple not only needs a cell phone pronto, but they also need that phone to be able to compete with the likes of Nokia, who has been making cellular phones for over 10 years now.
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Apple iPhone to be Cingular-exclusive at launch
This should come as a surprise to no one, and pretty much confirms Sprint will never seen an Apple phone, which pretty much confirms I won’t be staying on Sprint too much longer.
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Gizmodo: Apple iTV to have Hard Drive?
I don’t quite get this. What exactly would a hard drive in the iTV do? If the iTV connects t the iTunes library on your Mac or PC, why would it need a hard drive. And if it had a hard drive, what media would be stored on it? And if your media is on it, is it also in your iTunes library? Because that’s dumb. I can’t think of any good reason for the iTV to have a hard drive — but people seem excited about this. What am I missing?
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Think Secret: Apple phone on track for early ‘07
Think Secret has gotten absolutely pathetic. This time around, they consider their source reliable because he/she correctly predicted that Apple would not launch of a phone back in March and note that the rumor could not be true, as well, thanks to manufacturing delays. In related news, I’m reporting that I believe the Earth will be invaded by aliens tomorrow. I’m reporting this based on information from a tipster I believe is credible due to the fact that he knew that aliens would not invade Earth yesterday. So tomorrow, aliens will invade. Unless they don’t — which could also happen, due to unforeseen space travel delays. You heard it here first.
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Paul Thurott: Microsoft Zune Gallery
Aside from the poopy brown color, Microsoft looks to have nailed it. If they can price this thing the same or lower than the iPod (and they probably will, because they don’t mind taking a loss), Apple could be in for some serious competition. I really like the larger screen and sideways orientation for video, and the WiFi is hot. Apple had better have something in the works to compete, because the new 5.5G isn’t going to help them keep their load for long.
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Coverage of Apple’s “It’s Showtime” event
A nice roundup. For my money, Apple’s best new product is the “Get all missing album artwork” command in the advanced menu of iTunes. Oh, iTV looks pretty sweet, too.
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Think Secret: Major studios to sit out iTunes movie announcement
First, I don’t trust Think Secret. Second, if this is the case (and it probably is, despite my mistrust of the source), it’s disappointing, but definitely not a deal-breaker. iTunes had a small-ish selection in both music and TV shows when they first launched, and one by one, the major studios came on board. I expect the same will happen with film.
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The Lost Mac Commercials
VH1’s Best Week Ever spoofs the recent “I’m a Mac, and I’m a PC” series of Apple ads. Pretty funny stuff.
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Nike+iPod
Any URL that includes the terms “Nike,” “Apple,” and “iPod” ought to get the brand-consious going. Talk about titans joining forces…
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Jeff Croft
I’m a digital product designer and developer in Seattle, WA. I currently work with nGen Works, and recently co-founded Lendle, a Kindle book sharing service.
Some of my clients include Facebook, Microsoft, Yahoo!, Copious, The New York Review of Books, The Lawrence Journal-World, and the University of Washington.
I’ve authored two books on web and interactive design and spoken at dozens of conferences around the world.
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