Apple’s iTunes software reportedly synchronizes with the upcoming Palm Pre smartphone, working “seamlessly” aside from an inability to handle copy-protected media. According to Fortune, the iTunes Store “treats the Pre just as it would an iPod or an iPhone”, opening up the possibility of music and video downloads to the handset.
Speaking of iPhone OS 3.0, Apple have released the latest pre-release version – beta 4 – to developers. The preview is joined by a pre-release of iTunes 8.2, which is required to activate iPhone OS 3.0 beta 4 on an iPhone or iPod touch.
Apple is counting down to the 1 BILLIONTH download of an application on the iTunes App store. Every application you download enters you into the contest to win a $10,000 iTunes gift card, an iPod Touch, a Time Capsule, and a MacBook Pro. You’re allowed 25 entries per day, or you can fill out an entry form HERE to enter without downloading an App.
A new version of Yahoo Music hit public beta today and it is a serious change from previous versions. In fact, the entire approach is different. The site now works like a hub for all other media content sites, directing you to others to make purchases and take a listen.
Apple have announced the addition of high-definition movie purchases to the iTunes store, building on the existing rental functionality. Now, as well as renting new-release HD movies for $4.99, users will also be able to buy them for $19.99. As of March 21st Twilight will be available to buy in HD, followed by Quantum of Solace on March 24th; there are already multiple titles in the back-catalog available to buy in HD.
It looks like Samsung is jumping on the digital store bandwagon with their latest offering, Samsung Movies. This store is currently only in beta, but it appears to be very similar to iTunes in both form and function.
Apple stole headlines this week with a surprise update just seven days after refreshing their Mac line. The new 4GB iPod shuffle is even smaller than the original, using an in-line remote and VoiceOver spoken tracknames to get around the absence of a display. Apple also released iTunes 8.1, while rumors of a multitouch 10-inch netbook flourished as first Chinese then US press picked up on the capacitive panel trail.
Among the updated features listed in Apple’s iTunes 8.1 release yesterday is “Adds Genius sidebar for your Movies and TV Shows”, previously limited only to music. However after installing the update and switching to either the movies or TV shows panes in iTunes 8.1, the Genius icon disappears.
Macworld asked Apple exactly what was happening with the feature, and according to spokesperson Tom Neumayr “the feature isn’t live yet, but it will be in the coming days.”
Apple have released a new version of iTunes, v8.1, which adds support for the new iPod Shuffle 4GB (the 3rd generation). The update also brings with it improved overall performance and the ability to rip CDs at the same 256 kbps AAC quality as iTunes Plus tracks.
In case you had any doubt what MIDs are squaring up against, here’s the first video demo of the production S5 in action that Viliv chose to send out. One of their testers has installed iTunes onto his modified Windows XP system and is calling the user experience similar to that of an iPod touch; obviously, though, this is the full iTunes software as you’d find on your desktop.
Video demo of iTunes on the S5 MID after the cut
SlashGear Japan
