iTunes 8.1 & Front Row 2.1.7 Released

iTunes 8.1 is now faster and more responsive. You will enjoy noticeable improvements when working with large libraries, browsing the iTunes Store, preparing to sync with iPod or iPhone, and optimizing photos for syncing.
In addition, iTunes 8.1 provides many other improvements and bug fixes, including:
- Supports syncing with iPod shuffle (3rd generation)
- Allows friends to request songs for iTunes DJ
- Adds Genius sidebar for your Movies and TV Shows
- Improves performance when downloading iTunes Plus songs
- Provides AutoFill for manually managed iPods
- Allows CDs to be imported at the same sound quality as iTunes Plus
- Includes many accessibility improvements
- Allows iTunes U and the iTunes Store to be disabled separately using Parental Controls

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iPW Review of iTunes 8

iTunes 8 is quite dazzling at first! All you Mac fans and iLife 08 users will recognize the “grid view and scroll over to preview” layout which is featured in iPhoto. For once iTunes is not as bland as it was in the past and Album Art is really becoming a way of searching for music. The next thing you will notice is the visualizer iTunes 8 comes with an awesome visualizer to give you something to watch when listening to music. The amazing transition between different styles of visualization is seamless and normally complements the music style. Genius is another main feature of iTunes 8 allowing you to see related tracks to what you’ve selected or are listening to.

Check out the full review here

iTunes 7.7 Becomes Available

Look closely at the source list. See that applications icon? Yay!!

iTunes 7.7 is available for download at (as always) http://www.apple.com/itunes/download.

New features:

• Remote control configuration for iPhone/iPod Touch
• Applications store (iPhone/iPod Touch)
• Nike + iPod Support for iPhone (rumored)

There are no visible differences aside from the Preferences dialog.

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Apple Considering ‘Free’ Access to iTunes Library

Apple is talking with the major record labels about a change in the iTunes store business model that would give customers free access to the store’s complete music library, according to the Financial Times. The catch is that consumers would pay a premium for Apples iPod and iPhone devices.
The rumored model is akin to the “Comes with Music” deal Nokia inked with Universal Music last December. Apple could not immediately be reached for comment, but the British newspaper reported the negotiations hinged on a dispute over the price Apple would pay for access to the labels’ libraries.

“Rumors of Apple getting into the ‘all you can eat’ music business have been around almost as long as the iPod itself,” said Michael Gartenberg, an analyst at JupiterResearch. “The real challenge that Apple would face is taking this from something that appeals to music aficionados to something the mainstream could appreciate.”

Check out the full article here

Apple’s iTunes Beats Wal-Mart, Now #1 Music Store

Apple’s iTunes has passed Wal-Mart to become the #1 source for music in the US, according to an Apple email obtained by Ars Technica.

If this turns out to be accurate, it is a milestone for the digital distribution of music.

The news was announced in an e-mail sent this afternoon to some Apple employees, a copy of which was seen by Ars Technica. It includes a screenshot of an Excel file showing the top ten music retailers in the US for January 2008, and Apple is at the top of the list. The iTunes Store leads the pack with 19 percent, Wal-Mart (which includes the brick-and-mortar stores as well as its online properties) is second with 15 percent, and Best Buy is third with 13 percent. Amazon is a distant fourth at 6 percent, trailed by the likes of Borders, Circuit City, and Barnes & Noble. Rhapsody is in the tenth slot with 1 percent.

Read the full article here

Apple Sued Over Fundamental iTunes Model

A suit was filed Wednesday against Apple over the possibility that the iTunes music store and iPod are ‘illegally using a patented method for distributing digital media over the Internet.’ ZapMedia Services filed the suit, accusing the well-known OS and computer manufacturer of violating patents obtained just recently. ‘The patents in question cover a way of sending music and other digital content from servers to multiple media players, a broad description that could also apply to a wide swath of other companies selling digital media and the devices to play it. ZapMedia said it met with Apple to discuss licensing, but Apple rebuffed the offer.

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Lionsgate Adding iTunes Digital Copy on DVD and Blu-ray Discs

Lionsgate announced that they are working with Apple to provide iTunes Digital Copies on select DVD and Blu-ray releases.

Just like movies purchased from the iTunes Store, an iTunes Digital Copy can effortlessly be transferred to iTunes and then viewed on a PC or Mac, iPod with video, iPhone or on widescreen television with Apple TV.

The first Liongate DVD/Blu-ray disc to include an iTunes Digital Copy will be Rambo due for release on May 27th. Fox was the first to start including iTunes digital copies on their DVDs.

The process of copying the movie to iTunes involves entering a unique code into iTunes. The movie is then transferred to iTunes, allowing you to sync the movie with your iPod, iPhone or Apple TV. Each DVD (unique code) will allow digital transfer to only one iTunes library.

iTunes Update 7.6.1

Rent and download your favorite movies with iTunes on your computer or directly to your living room on Apple TV. Enjoy rented movies in sizes up to 720p HD with surround sound on your Apple TV and sizes up to DVD-quality on your computer. Transfer your rented movies from iTunes to your iPod or iPhone and enjoy them on the go.

Also, purchase and download your favorite TV shows, music, and more directly on your Apple TV. Effortlessly transfer purchases made on Apple TV back to your computer with iTunes.

iTunes 7.6.1 includes several bug fixes and improves compatibility with Apple TV software version 2.0.

iTunes Update 7.6

Rent and download your favorite movies with iTunes on your computer or directly to your living room on Apple TV. Enjoy rented movies in sizes up to 720p HD with surround sound on your Apple TV and sizes up to DVD-quality on your computer. Transfer your rented movies from iTunes to your iPod or iPhone and enjoy them on the go. 

Also, purchase and download your favorite TV shows, music, and more directly on your Apple TV. Effortlessly transfer purchases made on Apple TV back to your computer with iTunes.

iTunes 7.5

Yes, yet another update for the ol’ iTunes. This update offers more things for the iPhone, and iPod Touch. It also provides more stability for Windows XP and Vista.