Apple are set to announce movie rentals via their iTunes download service, according to “people familiar” with the company’s media plans; priced at $3.99 per 24hr period, the service would include content from existing partner studios Walt Disney Co., Paramount and Lions Gate Entertainment Corp, as well as new additions Warner Bros. and Fox.
This new update, which somehow still doesn’t hit a major version number, could be released as early as this weekend. The two main features, other than some likely bundled bug fixes and such, are the voice recording and disk mode.
Surely by now you’ve heard of the big split-up between NBC and Apple. I think it’s actually getting more attention than when Brad and Jennifer broke up. You’d think that by now that the waters would have calmed down, but sadly the mud-slinging seems to have only just begun.
I enjoy using iTunes, as it makes organizing, purchasing and playing my music quite simple. Yes, there are other options out there, but iTunes has grown on me over the years and I don’t see myself switching any time soon. Despite the fact that many people harbor the same feelings as I do, some major content providers are choosing to back away from their dealings with Apple.
Apple has remained steadfast in their 99 cent pricing for all of the music they offer. That is, unless you want to purchase an iTunes Plus track, then you get to pay a 30 cent premium.
We all know that NBC wants more money for their TV shows, that’s one of the reasons that they are no longer selling them via iTunes. CBS, however, wants to “stay out of the battle.”
Would you rent a movie via iTunes if given the opportunity? You’ve got a little while to ponder that question, but if rumors are true, it may be a viable option in the future.
Word on the street is HD Radio is the new wave, imaging satellite radio quality but add some ads and lower the price to $0.00 per month. Well with HD Radio people are finally getting a way to revolutionize the way we listen to the normal radio, including the ability to tag a song for later purchase.
Up till now the best you could do for figuring out a song title/artist is either a Google search with the part of the lyrics you remember and hope you find something, or use one of the services where you record a portion of the song or use your phone and the service tries to recognize it for you. Well that is all changing thanks to HD Radio where they are able to transmit not only the song but all the metadata for it OTA.
Just a heads up, our coverage is more or less done, but our man Vincent is going to keep bringing you more photos throughout the day. So here is a link to the photo gallery for today’s event.
He already has a bunch of new photos up since the end of the event. So enjoy!
The iPod Touch has WiFi, that’s huge, but what are you going to do with that WiFi connection? Sure, you’ll browse the net, but what about downloading music? You’d like that wouldn’t you? Steve’s two steps ahead of you. Behold the iTunes WiFi Music Store.
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