As iCloud Launch Nears, Apple Still Mulling Best Way To Manage Multiple IDs
Managing multiple personalities is hard enough offline, but it’s also difficult on the Internet. Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) is reportedly working to… Read more at paidContent »
Finally: One Apple ID to rule them all?
On my iPhone and iPad, I have to sign in to two different Apple IDs in order to get everything set up the way it should be. When iCloud arrives, things could get worse. But they might get better, if Apple finally allows Apple ID merging. Read more »
Music wars heat up — but is free really the future?
As music services Mog and Rdio take up defensive positions by launching new free-to-listen services, it may look like streaming is the future. But retailers like eMusic are fighting back by arguing that purchasing songs remains as relevant as ever. Read more »
Mobile Lowdown 9-13-11: Samsung; Apple/China; Dolby/RIM; Nokia; HP Refunds
A look at some of the big stories in mobile today:
» In the patent battles with Apple (NSDQ: AAPL), software is Samsung’s Achille… Read more at paidContent »
iCloud, OS X Lion and iOS 5: State of the betas
The leaves are changing color, there’s a chill in the air, and some stores already have Christmas merchandise on shelves. Fall is basically here. So what’s the status of iCloud and iOS 5, which should be arriving during the season, according to Apple at WWDC 2011? Read more »
Apple targeted in patent infringement suit over its websites and iTunes
Apple is facing another new patent infringement suit this week, as Texas-based Droplets Inc. has filed a new complaint. Apple products that Droplets claim infringe on the patent include the Apple website, iTunes, the movie trailer site and also its other web applications. Read more »
Mobile operators will lose voice services to mobile platforms
Imagine buying your SIM-free mobile phone from a local electronics store, logging in as soon as you turn the phone on for the first time and having the phone ready to use immediately. In the future, even the phone number itself will disappear. Read more »
Mobile Lowdown 9-7-11: Phone Tracking; RIM; iPhone 5; iPad Australia
A look at some of the big stories in mobile today:
» A victory for civil liberties companies, and a possible shadow for some mobi… Read more at paidContent »
Why Amazon’s tablet can do well without being an iPad killer
Early details about a forthcoming Amazon tablet indicate it could have a potential success on its hands. Many have been quick to label it the first legitimate iPad challenger. But should Amazon have tablet success, it doesn’t mean Apple will sell fewer iPads. Read more »
Fox’s New Girl gets free, early debut online
In a somewhat uncharacteristic move, Fox has released one of its new fall shows early on the iTunes Store. You can now download the full pilot episode of Fox’s New Girl, a half-hour comedy starring Zooey Deschanel, for free with a U.S. iTunes account. Read more »
Apple Promotes Internet Czar Eddy Cue, Now Reports Directly To CEO Cook
Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) has made the second move in a long-awaited succession plan following the decision of Chairman Steve Jobs to resign as CEO… Read more at paidContent »
The Morning Lowdown 09-01-11
» Hulu Japan Launches WIth Movies, TV From CBS (NYSE: CBS), Sony (NYSE: SNE), Fox (NSDQ: NWS) & More But No Ads (paidContent)
Streaming Or Not, Apple’s iTunes Match Seems To Offer Advantages Of Both
To stream or not to stream? That is the question; whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of a flaky wireless connect… Read more at paidContent »
Updated: New iOS 5 Beta Adds To iCloud Streaming Confusion
It looked like one of the mysteries of Apple’s new iTunes Match service has been solved as developer preview versions of the software make a… Read more at paidContent »
Steve Jobs’ Greatest Legacy: Persuading The World To Pay For Content
Ten years is, of course, a long time in media. Ten years ago, if you wanted to download some music, your best bet was Napster or one of the… Read more at paidContent »
iTunes Match now in beta, includes music streaming
Apple has begun testing iTunes Match with a limited portion of the Apple developer community. The service, which scans your library and provides 256 Kpbs copies of the tracks it finds for download on up to 10 devices, also includes music streaming, according to early reports. Read more »
Apple Evicts TV Show Rentals From iTunes Store
The iTunes Store is now part of the ownership society. Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) has removed the option to rent television shows from its online st… Read more at paidContent »
Everyone can always go back to school with iTunes U
The truly unique gem of iTunes is not its music, movies, television, books, podcasts or apps. It’s the collection university lecture series on iTunes U. With more than 350,000 lectures from more than 800 institutions, there’s definitely something out there for everyone to learn. Read more »
Apple cancels iTunes TV rentals
Despite its role as a major selling point of the revamped Apple TV last fall, Apple confirmed Friday that it has done away with TV show rentals for iTunes and Apple TV. The company said the decision was based on lack of interest from customers. Read more »
Watching video podcasts on your Apple TV
Podcasts have become a good way for cord cutters to get up to date info in lieu of broadcast news or TV shows. Thanks to the Apple TV, bringing them into the living room is a piece of cake. Here are two ways to do it. Read more »
Stat shot: Steve Jobs CEO by the numbers
It’s impossible to quantify the effect Steve Jobs has had during his time as CEO of Apple, on computing, the market or our lives, but nonetheless, it’s fun to try. Here are some impressive numbers racked up by Jobs during his tenure. Read more »
Netflix to add family accounts and VOD rentals?
Netflix has taken a lot of heat since announcing a new pricing structure. But more price changes could be on the way as Netflix seeks to diversify its revenue stream with individual accounts and video-on-demand sales, if you believe Forrester analyst James McQuivey. Read more »
Subscriber Content
GigaOM Euro 20: the European startups to watch
Europe’s web scene is now thriving, and we’ve compiled a list featuring some of the best and brightest European web startups — what we’re dubbing the GigaOM Euro 20. Depending on how closely you watch Europe’s online scene, some of these companies may be familiar to you. Others you may not have heard of. But all of them are worth watching closely. In this report, we profile the 20 startups that we feel best represent Europe’s current tech scene. We have organized our list around perception, and as lists go, it is intended to be a guideline rather than a rule book. It’s not exhaustive, and clearly, with such a diverse and vibrant continent as our playing field, it never could be. Companies mentioned in this report include GetJar, Huddle, Made.com and Songkick. For a full list of companies, and to read the full report, sign up for a free trial. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
HBO shows now in HD on iTunes
Discerning TV viewers take note: Apple just turned on HD availability for many HBO television shows in the iTunes Store. Customers in the U.S. and Canada can now purchase HD episodes and seasons of many HBO series, including Eastbound & Down, Rome, Entourage and Big Love. Read more »
Now you can get an app with your grande chai latte
Thanks to a new aspect of the ongoing partnership between Apple and Starbucks, you can now get paid apps free at the coffee chain via redeemable codes printed on cards. It’s a smart way to get paid apps to people who don’t normally buy them. Read more »
How to stream Spotify to Apple TV and iOS devices
One thing that iTunes has over Spotify’s online music service is its wireless connectivity to the Apple TV. But it is actually possible to get the same kind of connectivity with Spotify, and use it from any room in your house. Here’s how. Read more »
Report: ITunes Replay could deliver re-downloadable movies and TV
A service called iTunes Replay, first rumored back in 2009, could arrive any day from Apple, according to a new report. It would allow users to re-download and possibly stream video content purchased on iTunes to multiple devices, something for which the time is ripe. Read more »
Apple TV update introduces show streaming, Vimeo support
Apple rolled out an update to its Apple TV software Monday that introduces new features. The update is available now and allows you to stream TV shows you purchase through iTunes, along with providing access to Internet video site Vimeo. Read more »
Why a 15-inch MacBook Air is only a matter of time
Not one but two reports say Apple is now working on an ultrathin 15-inch Mac notebook, with one claiming that a 17-incher is also on the way. Apple has long been preparing for this, and I wouldn’t be surprised if those preparations bear fruit this year. Read more »
Apple buying Hulu would be great. Too bad it won’t.
The possible combination of Apple and Hulu has got the world buzzing with excitement, as such a deal could combine one of the top consumer electronics manufacturers with everyone’s favorite broadcast TV destination online. But the deal seems unlikely, given the lack of a strategic fit. Read more »
Is Apple interested in buying Hulu?
Apple’s got a lot of money to throw around, to the tune of $76.2 billion. Is it interested in spending a chunk of that on Hulu? According to Bloomberg, Apple could make a bid for the online video service. Read more »
Is it time to retire the 5-star rating system?
Thanks to the rating systems in place on such popular websites as Yelp, Amazon and eBay, many people are comfortable evaluating things in absolute terms: a two-star restaurant, a B movie and so on. But new MIT research says this approach is fundamentally flawed. Read more »
Apple marches forward on iOS 5 beta 3, available now
The iOS 5 beta pot is still simmering, with Apple today releasing the third edition of its mobile platform, along with a corresponding new beta of iTunes 10.5. Here’s a quick peek at the most notable new fixes, updates and issues in the latest software version. Read more »
Who needs iTunes? HP TouchPad has HP Play
HP hasn’t introduced the rumored music store and streaming service for its line of webOS devices, but it does have an application that currently syncs music to the HP TouchPad tablet and Veer smartphone. HP Play, for Windows and OS X, shows promise and works well. Read more »
Hands on with Amazon Cloud Player for iPad
Amazon’s online music storage and streaming service sounds great on Android devices or a desktop browser. Apple devices have been left in the cold until now however: here’s a first look at Amazon’s Cloud Player for the iPad’s browser, which despite a few shortcomings, shows promise. Read more »
It’s official: What stays and what goes from MobileMe to iCloud
In case you were an existing MobileMe subscriber wondering what services will and won’t make it through the transition to iCloud, Apple has posted an official FAQ detailing exactly what will make the cut, and addressing what will happen to iWeb and other services that don’t. Read more »
Pack your bags: Hipmunk travel search comes to iPad
Travel search startup Hipmunk is bringing its super slick user interface (UI)– and arguably the web’s cutest mascot– to the iPad, just in time for the summer travel season. The San Francisco-based company has launched a custom iPad app and an update to its iPhone offering. Read more »
One reason Apple isn’t sweating the prospect of iTunes Match piracy
Apple’s iTunes Match has been accused of opening the door for piracy, but that’s probably not something Apple’s concerned about. Match will still make Apple money, and its other digital content marketplace, the App Store, may quickly become the primary breadwinner anyway. Read more »
Report: Convenience means iTunes users will pay for iTunes Match
Though some iCloud functionality is already available to iTunes users, the paid iTunes Match service doesn’t launch until fall. But a new report suggests there will be ample demand when it does arrive, and convenience, not a desire to skirt the law, is driving interest. Read more »
iTunes Match and iCloud: Pirate reward or anti-theft measures?
iTunes Match, and its ability to deliver high-quality DRM-free versions of music in your library to all your iOS, Mac and PC devices via iCloud seems like a reward for music piracy. But it might also be a way of getting back what once was lost. Read more »
