Apple Grrl

Amazon announced today that it was finally opening its long-rumored DRM free music store. You an look for it to open later this year. With a full catalog of DRM free music and 12000 choices so far, is this a threat to iTunes? Not really. Apple continues to be at the forefront of the DRM free fight with the remaining three record labels (EMI being the only major label who has already signed on with both Amazon and Apple). Steve Jobs continues to use his heavy hitting industry clout to bend the last hold outs to his will, er, make them sign a DRM free agreement for his customers. (more…)

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Apparently, it’s all in the design, and in the design process. Technology Review takes the time to walk us through the Apple design process, revealing why Macs really do “just feel right”. Most of the meat of the design reveal is in the end of the article but it is worth a read all the way through. Some highlights:  (more…)

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Macs are solid, easy to use computers. Even so, there is always room for improvement, and plenty of people online willing to share the ways they have hacked their Mac to make it better. Lucky us, as some of these Mac hacks have become essential tools in our technological life. I’ve combed the web for you, compiling a list of some of the best hacks out there. I’ve tried to give credit where credit is due, since these people have worked hard to create these tools for you. If you see a hack that is yours and you want credit, let me know so I can link to you and share the love. (more…)

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Yes, you read that correctly. Ticketmaster and iTunes are teaming up to give away free music all summer long. Here’s how it works:

Go to Ticketmaster and purchase concert tickets for any summer concert between Memorial Day and Labor Day. You get a free song from iTunes for every ticket you purchase. Also, every person who buys a concert ticket this summer, no matter when they purchase it, will get a 10 song downloadable music sampler showcasing songs form ten artists, for free! That’s a double whammy of free song goodness.

Free music - concert tickets you were going to buy anyway - how can you go wrong? Go! Check it out!

Author: Leslie Poston, © 2007, All Rights Reserved

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The quest for the perfect iPod case or skin consumes iPod junkies everywhere. Do you want one that protects your iPod, or one that makes it your own? Do you think of your iPod as a tool, or as a kind of pet or accessory? If you want to truly customize your iPod, you may fall in love with iFrogz custom iPod cases.

The site works on a build-your-own basis, with full customization possible for around $30 USD. The cases are made with three components - wrapz © , bandz © and screenz ©. The components can be any one a large number of colors and combinations, and the screenz can be plain colored or have a picture on them (the screenz go over the click wheel).

If you’ve been looking for the perfect iPod case, head on over to iFrogz and design one of your own that expresses you perfectly.

Author: Leslie Poston, © 2007, All Rights Reserved

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Today is a travel day for Apple Reporter, so let me entice you with goodies for your Mac:

Keyboard skins for your MacBook. Trouble seeing the letters on your MacBook? Type so much the letters are wearing off? Never fear, lettered skins are here, for under $25 USD.

Trivia junkies now have an outlet for their addiction made for the iPod. Now you can show off your esoteric knowledge of all things useless anywhere you go with iQuiz, available at the iTunes store.

Samsung announced its breakthrough in RAM today, touting the develop of a 4GB stacked memory stick, expanding the possibilities of computer memory and reducing space usage exponentially.

Tired of your plain white MacBook 13″? Skin it with a laptop skin representing any of your interests, teams, hobbies or more. Sold by SkinIt.

See more cool Mac stuff every Monday on MacObserver.

Author: Leslie Poston, © 2007, All Rights Reserved

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After striking such a successful and well-received deal with EMI for DRM-free music, Apple plans to continue its successful bid against DRM by meeting with the remaining three major record labels. As expected, Sony BMG, Universal and Warner are all upset at the “unfair” deal struck by EMI and Apple. The deal between EMI and Apple embraces the future of digital music delivery, and has little to no resemblance to the bloated cash cow the music industry has been used to. The other three record labels are upset EMI didn’t try for a bigger piece of the music pie, and of Apple’s pie.

“EMI struck a deal that puts all of us at a disadvantage,” said an anonymous music executive. EMI defends its position, saying that consumers were frustrated with DRM protection. “We believe removing it will boost digital music overall,” an EMI spokeswoman said.

It is said that the three remaining major labels will try in typical greedy fashion to push for a share of iPod sales and restrictions on iTunes, among other things. I still hold firm that refusal to let go of old industry standards will continue to hamper the music industry. It is my hope that Apple will stand firm against the price gouging and greed that these companies view as their birthright and force them to change with the times by not giving them the extra money and needless restrictions they seek.

You can read the full article here.

Author: Leslie Poston, © 2007, All Rights Reserved

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One state’s government sees iPods for the potential learning tool that they are. Michigan is considering a $38 Million budget allocation for the purchase of iPods for every child in school in Michigan. This would mean a tax increase for Michigan citizens, causing it to face the major hurdle of convincing parents to pay to buy an iPod for their own kid as well as someone else’s - a tough mental leap for most people.

Why buy iPods for every kid in school in Michigan? Michigan is acknowledging what many already know - the iPod’s potential as a learning tool. It’s video capability, audio capability, recording capability (with additional software) and it’s interactive quality make it ideal for downloading lessons, tutorials, homework and more onto its compact and portable hard drive. Students could have every book for English on their iPod instead of carting them to class each day. While some subjects aren’t feasible for download on iPods due to the small screen, you can still use the iPod to hold tutorials for them, or to transfer them onto a student’s home computer. The possibilities are endless.

Read Apple’s take on using the iPod in education here.

Read the full story here.

Author: Leslie Poston, © 2007, All Rights Reserved

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