Apple announced a new version of AppleTV with a 160GB hard drive (instead of the worthless 40GB in the "basic version") and that you can now stream GooTube videos. Both pretty cool IMHO, although I don't have an AppleTV nor do I have any real need (or want) to get one. I just don't have enough video content in my iTunes.
From Too Poppy:
Apple launched iTunes Plus today, which features higher-quality DRM-free tracks for only $1.29 rather than the $.99 for regular tunes. I'm not sure I hear a big difference, but I like the option and the fact that you can upgrade previously purchased tracks is tremendously well thought-out. That kind of post-purchase flexibility is what makes the digital format superior over CDs (ever buy a whole album twice because the second version is remastered or features additional tracks?)
As a bonus, Apple took the opportunity to announce that "more than a dozen" of Paul McCartney's catalog is now available in both formats. Excellent, but "more than a dozen?" Why not "all?"
Zune hits one million.
It's amazing how quickly I can lose respect for one million people.
Here's a very cool site - Mac2Sell.net. Just plug in the particulars on the Mac you want to sell for 17 different countries and voila - up pops a price. I just recently sold my iMac G5 20" on eBay and the price Mac2Sell displayed was right on the money.
Why don't you swap Shuffles with a friend, colleague or hell, even an enemy. It has to be Shuffles, otherwise you could look through the playlist. You might find something interesting. Or your ears might bleed. Either way, bliss.
It seems that MySpace users are hogging computers and bandwidth at Apple retail stores. In a move that makes me want to buy even more from them Apple has banned MySpace from their stores. That $599 iPhone now just doesn't seem so expensive anymore. MySpace SUCKS!
Here's a cool little app - WiFind 1.1 adds to you Airport menu the ability to see at a glance which networks are secure and which aren't. Handy if you're like me and always trying to find a connection when I'm working remotely.
Try free for 15 days and only $8.00 afterword.
Tomi T Ahonen declares there are now two times in mobile phones - BiP and AiP. He makes some interesting points, and he's probably right in more than a few instances. However, the last time someone declared something was bigger than Jesus, it didn't go over so well.
There are other iTunes plug-ins that try to filter your music based on the mood of the songs. Most of them use some algorithm to figure that out. Moody lets you tag your own music based on two axis - Intense/Calm and Happy/Sad. Then you can create smart playlists based on mood.
I'm all for it, but with 13 thousand songs I don't have the time or patience to do it.
The good people at TooPoppy bring us the news that Paul McCartney's new album is now available for pre-order via iTunes.
On Tuesday as predicted, Apple launched new MacBooks with a slight speed bump, more memory and bigger hard drives. While this is great and all, I'm looking for my new LED backlit, Santa Rosa-based MacBook Pro! Apple, don't make me wait until June!
This looks like fun. Admit it. You drum along with your music - usually when no one is looking. But usually someone is, and they're staring at you thinking, "what a crazy person". But that's okay. I won't tell.
Joost is the new online TV service which actually is pretty interesting. The programing is surprisingly diverse - big content providers like Comedy Central, National Geographic, MTV and more. Plus a really great selection of music channels.
Joost is in beta-testing right now, so you can only get in if you have an invite. And I just so happen to have invites to share. If you want one, let me know by sending an email to way2poppyATkonfrstDOTcom.
Joost is available on Macs & PCs.
It only took 6 months. If you're a Vista user that's had trouble syncing their iPod in iTunes you can download the update to Vista and it will be fixed. Way to go Microsoft on getting it fixed so fast.
No, she's not tied up. She's Free! Download Ms. Pac Man for free, but hurry, it's a limited-time offer.
I downloaded a couple iPod games before my last long business trip - Golf and Sodoku - both excellent and fun to play.
USA Today has compiled the top 25 most memorable quotes with Steve's famous "One More Thing" being number 17.
Cingular has sent a memo to all employees to limit vacation between 15 June and 15 July to be ready for the iPhone onslaught. My wallet is ready...
Autorate will automatically rate all your songs based on a simple formula (that's even posted on the site). It uses the number of times you play songs, skip them, etc. to rate them. Note that running it will overwrite any previous ratings you might have. Probably not the thing if you have lots of ratings, but if you're just starting to rate songs, this would give you a great jump start. Oh yeah, and it's free.
For the first time ever a iTunes exclusive track has debuted in the Billboard Top 10. Too bad it was an American Idol tune - Carrie Underwood's I'll Stand By You from some charity show or something. For me, no one will top Kelly.
Here they come...iPhone cases. This one from ebCases seems nice enough and comes in a myriad colors - blue, brown (what is it with brown?), pink, red, black and others that I don't feel like looking up. If you're interested, you'll click the link - if you're not, you won't. Darn kids and their links.
I don't know about you, but I'm pretty anal when it comes to cover art. I'm always tweaking my cover art and have it for nearly all of my 13k+ songs. Since my tastes are not always mainstream, cover art is hard to find. Especially for imports and the like.
CoverScout 2.3.1 promises to better find art - it now searches all Amazon sites worldwide. You can now also search Google.
The application also has cool features such as being able to take a picture of covers via your iSight camera.
Well, it's technically already on the Mac through X11, but most probably don't know what that is, or how to use it let alone install it. An Aqua port to Sun's open-source office suite has been discussed for about 7 years now, but it looks like it might actually happen.
If you're looking for a non-Microsoft Offic option and don't want to mess with X11, check out NeoOffice. I've used it here and there and it's certainly capable, if not a bit slow. But it is compatible with MS Office.
Apple has launched a new personal trainer service called onetoone. For only $99 a year, you have access to an Apple expert to help you with learning anything you want on the Apple platform. Just like at the gym, they'll create a program specific to your needs - digital photography, video, music and more. Really cool idea.
