Darko on June 19th, 2008
Apple Inc. said Thursday people have bought more than 5 billion songs from its iTunes online music store.
In addition, Apple said, iTunes customers are now renting or buying more than 50,000 movies daily.
Apple said that based on data from market researcher NPD Group the iTunes store is the largest music retailer in the U.S. based on the amount of music sold during January and February 2008.
More than 8 million songs are available on iTunes, as well as more than 20,000 TV episodes and more than 2,000 movies.
Darko on April 16th, 2008
The mobile phone groups O2 and Carphone Warehouse have announced they have slashed the price of the smallest capacity Apple iPhone in the UK by 100 pounds.
The price cut comes ahead of the launch of the new upcoming 3G model.
The 8GB model will be available for 169 pounds until June 1st while the 16GB model will remain at its now markedly expensive 329 pound price tag. The device remains O2’s fastest selling device and the operator hopes the price cut will create even more momentum before the launch of the new updated model.
Earlier this month T-Mobile reduced the price for the smaller iPhone in Germany in an effort to spur sales.
“More and more this is starting to look like they want to clear stock of an older model, with a looming revision to the iPhone which will likely include 3G,” CCS Insight analyst Ben Wood told Reuters.
“But also we think the iPhone has slowed down during the first quarter and we think this (a 3G launch) should give sales a bit of a lift.”
Darko on April 15th, 2008
Miami-based Psystar is now offering a Mac clone for $399, and is vowing to fight for its right to produce the device should Cupertino’s lawyers come a-knocking.
Under Apple’s EULA, installation of Leopard onto any computer equipment other than Apple’s own hardware is prohibited. If the past is any precedent, the company should be shortly contacting Psystar with a cease and desist request.
However, Psystar appears ready to fight, suggesting the clause forbidding such installations are a violation of US antitrust laws. Until then, it will continue to sell the OpenMac clone for $399.The $399 OpenMac’s base configuration includes a 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2 GB of DDR2 RAM, Integrated Intel GMA 950 Graphics, a 20x DVD rewritable drive, and 4 rear USB ports.
A higher-end version, the OpenPro, retails for $999. The base configuration there includes a 2.6 GHz Core 2 Duo, GeForce 8600GT graphics card, 600 watts of power, 3 120mm fans, standard FireWire ports and front USB ports.
For both systems, Leopard is available preinstalled for an additional $155. On the Pro, additional systems other than Apple’s can be installed.
“You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to get the full OS X Leopard experience,” Psystar says on its Web site.
Psystar officials are comparing Cupertino’s restrictions to Microsoft saying Windows could only be installed on Dells, or a car company telling you which roads you could drive on.
Either way, this offer does not look to be targeted to the average consumer. A quick perusal through the company’s FAQ indicates that a user may not be able to always use the upgrades from Apple because some may be “non-safe,” and the Web site seems to target the PC to the “experienced” user.
Apple could not be immediately reached for comment.
Darko on April 11th, 2008
The iPhone / iPod Touch version of the Safari web browser has become the most used mobile browser for Internet browsing, according to research from StatCounter. It sits ahead of the Symbian operating system in the U.S., but sits behind it on a worldwide scale, while both ultimately trump Windows Mobile. Of course, the iPhone/iPod only account for 0.23 percent of the overall browsing in the United States.
On a global scale, they account for 0.08 percent of all browsing activity, which is actually quite good considering the number of countries the products are available in. StatCounter is not alone in its findings for the iPhone browser either, Net Applications also puts Symbian ahead of the iPod and iPhone software on a global scale
Net Applications estimates 0.19 percent of worldwide browsing is done with an iPod or iPhone, whereas 0.25 percent goes to Symbian. The success of the iPhone and iPod in web-browsing is the attempt that Apple made to a unified, full browser experience.
Darko on April 9th, 2008
The BBC has announced that its BBCi Player will shortly be available on the Nintendo Wii console.
The BBCi Player offers users content from multiple BBC TV shows and channels, including News 24 and the BBC’s radio stations.
“Working with Nintendo marks another exciting milestone for BBC iPlayer,” commented Erik Huggers, group controller for Future Media and Technology at the BBC.
“It underlines our commitment to reaching new audiences by making BBC iPlayer available on as many platforms as possible.
“The BBC’s catch-up TV service can now be accessed on an increasing number of different platforms - from the web and portable devices to gaming consoles. It will shortly be available on TV.”
Last month the BBC rolled out the service to Apple’s iPhone and the iPod Touch.
Although Wii owners currently have to pay a one off fee to install the Internet Channel, the BBC has said that it is looking at ways to make the iPlayer service free in the future.
“This exciting alliance with the BBC is yet another way in which Nintendo is looking to broaden the market for its products by offering compelling and relevant content to families,” added David Yarnton, general manager of Nintendo UK.
“BBC iPlayer on Wii will offer Wii owners another reason to turn their console on everyday and adds to the already established non gaming content on Wii that includes news and weather channels and an internet browser.”
