Apple is hosting an iTunes event on September 5th, and they’re widely expected to release something neat. But of course, no one knows what they’re releasing, so the rumor mill is exploding.
Engadget reports a wireless iTunes store, where you can buy tracks and download them directly from the device you want to play them from. You know, your iPod or your iPhone. This of course requires that wireless iPods be available. The supposed wireless iPods would be like the iPhone: run OSX, be like an iPhone but without the phone part, big touch screen, etc. The iPhone is, of course, already wireless, and would just need one of those little wee updates.
Mobility Site reports that there will be no Beatles added to iTMS, but adds this gem:
“A new feature for iPhone users that will allow them to make ringtones out of songs they’ve already purchased from iTunes. This is a long-overdue step for the digital music business, which has found itself in the weird position of selling complete digital songs for a dollar but 15-second ringtone snippets of the same songs for $2.50.”
A wireless iPod would be awesome, but I think it’s dubious that Apple would let us remove too much hub from the digital hub. If Apple let you convert ringtones from iTMS purchases, that would be awesome. A question remains though, what about ringtones from albums you ripped?
There’s an insightful post over at 37signals that talks about the handoff of design cues that iterate from product to product from Apple. He adroitly notes the design similarities between the iPhone and the new iMac; he similarly notes the connections between the iPod and the old iMac. It goes without saying that a company that was in such a hurry to drop keyboards for their iPhones sure makes some nice keys for the computers that still need them. [Daring Fireball Filter]
Maybe you’ve heard of ill-fated Microsoft iLoo. Well, someone took at Atech took that idea and ran with it, like they were afraid someone would take it away from them. Anyone want to make bets whether they made a profit on this one? Can we dream for a ‘works with iPhone’ sticker on this must-have accessory? [via camarochris]
If you like rumors, we have two. Well, one, really. I think the speculation stems from the patents recently granted to Apple, but I think it’s fun to see the two different views that stem from it.
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Huh, another article about Steve Jobs’ brilliance. He invented the GUI in 1984 and the digital era of publishing with iTunes just a few years ago, and they say he’s going to three-peat his previous two performances with the iPhone. I may as well publish it, after all, it’s 100% correct, and it’s a well-written piece at the Economist. Also, Boom! Another one. [via]
One of the things that Jobs really was intent on talking about throughout the D5 conference is what happens to computers and gadgets in what he called the Post-PC era. That’s not to say that the PC, as in personal computer, is going away. Far from it; it’s still necessary to function as a media center, digital hub, or media entertainment center. All of those gadgets in your drawer, they have to sync to something.
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Walt Mossberg’s All Things Digital, aka D5, has posted video of the Gates and Jobs fireside chat. It’s unfortunately in 9 chunks of FLV; there’s no stream, no MOV or WMV that you can download of the entire event. That shouldn’t stop you, however, as the chat is excellent. Jobs and Gates are relaxed, affable, and make jokes throughout, and it’s frankly great to watch both of them. They talk openly about the mobile space, where “post-pc era devices” (Jobs’ term for devices like Zunes, iPods, GPS, and other catch-all convergence or divergence devices) are headed. It’s an investment of time — roughly an hour — worth its weight in gold.
One of the best parts, for me, is that Jobs confirmed they’re still working on 3rd party applications for the iPhone, how to do it right; how to do it without making the device crash twice a day. A more in-depth article should follow this afternoon or evening.
In any regard, D5 has posted a highlight reel, but I’d personally recommend just watching the individual flash videos. Read on for the links.
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I’m a big Lost fan. I was introduced to the series by my wife; we watched the season finale yesterday with a group of friends as we always do (no spoilers). We both enjoy the show. It’s my favorite show on major networks. I’m a Lost fan.
So, when I found out that one of my favorite mobile game companies Gameloft converted their great-looking Lost for mobile phones to the Lost iPod game (iTunes link), I had to try it. Right then and there, goodbye $5. So the question remains, how was it?
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